Why Central Maharashtra Receives Low Rainfall: Rain Shadow Effect

Central Maharashtra (Marathwada, parts of Vidarbha) lies in the rain shadow of the Western Ghats.

Mechanism

1. Moisture-laden Southwest Monsoon winds blow from Arabian Sea toward India (June–Sept).
2. They hit the Western Ghats (1,000–1,600 m elevation) and are forced upward.
3. Air cools, condenses, dumps heavy rain on windward side (Konkan coast, Western Ghats slopes: 3,000–5,000+ mm).
4. Air descends on leeward side (Deccan Plateau/Central Maharashtra), warming adiabatically, losing moisture capacity → rain shadow (600–800 mm annually).

Result

Sharp gradient: Mumbai (windward) ~2,200 mm; Pune (leeward) ~700 mm; Solapur (deep rain shadow) ~550 mm.

Climate change may intensify variability, increasing drought risk in this already semi-arid region.