Which of the following cities is located in a rain-shadow region in India?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is: (C) Pune

• Pune, located on the leeward side of the Western Ghats, lies in a rain-shadow region.

• As the Southwest Monsoon winds rise up the Western Ghats, they cause orographic rainfall on the windward side (like the Konkan coast).

• By the time these winds descend on the eastern (leeward) side, they are dry, leading to low rainfall in places like Pune, Solapur, and Ahmednagar.

• This phenomenon is typical of rain-shadow areas, where hills block moisture-laden winds.

• Rain-shadow regions in India are mainly found:

  • On the eastern side of the Western Ghats (Maharashtra, parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu).

  • Examples include Pune, Solapur, Beed, and Madurai.

• Pune receives about 700–800 mm of rainfall annually, much lower than coastal areas.

• The Western Ghats create a major climatic divide due to their elevation and orientation.

• Cochin (A) is on the windward side of the Western Ghats and receives heavy rainfall (over 3000 mm annually).

• Goa (B) is also on the Konkan coast, facing the Arabian Sea, and receives heavy monsoonal rain.

• Shillong (D), though located on a plateau in Meghalaya, is not in a rain-shadow region; in fact, nearby Mawsynram and Cherrapunji are among the wettest places on Earth.

• Understanding rain-shadow helps in planning agriculture, water conservation, and urban development in semi-arid areas.