4.4. Distribution of Rainfall

Parts of western coast and northeastern India receive over about 400 cm of rainfall annually. However, it is less than 60 cm in western Rajasthan and adjoining parts of Gujarat, Haryana, and Punjab. Rainfall is equally low in the interior of the Deccan plateau, and east of the Sahyadris. A third area of low precipitation is around Leh in Jammu and Kashmir. The rest of the country receives moderate rainfall. Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.

In India, different regions receive varying amounts of rainfall. The western coastal areas and northeastern states are among the wettest, getting more than 400 cm of rain each year. In contrast, western Rajasthan and nearby regions receive very little rainfall—less than 60 cm. Areas like the Deccan plateau also suffer from low precipitation, as do regions east of the Sahyadris. Leh, located in Jammu and Kashmir, is another area where rainfall is scarce. This distribution indicates that while some parts of India are damp and lush, others are arid and dry.

Think of India as a giant sponge that can absorb water. Some parts, like a fully soaked sponge, are very wet and can get up to 400 cm of rain, while other areas, like a dried sponge, only get a trickle. Imagine regions like Chennai getting plentiful water from the south-west monsoon, while western Rajasthan feels like it's always thirsty, receiving very little rain.

Owing to the nature of monsoons, the annual rainfall is highly variable from year to year. Variability is high in the regions of low rainfall, such as parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat and the leeward side of the Western Ghats. As such, while areas of high rainfall are liable to be affected by floods, areas of low rainfall are drought-prone.

Rainfall in India is not consistent every year because of the monsoon's unpredictable nature. In regions with low rainfall, like Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, yearly rainfall can vary significantly, leading to droughts in some years. On the other hand, areas that typically receive high rainfall sometimes face floods when there is an excess of monsoon rain. This variable pattern means that agriculture and water availability can drastically change from one season to the next.

Imagine planning a picnic. If you expect a sunny day but it suddenly rains, your plans could wash away. Similarly, farmers depend on the monsoon for their crops, but when the rains are too little or too much, they can face problems like crop failure or flooding. This is much like having good and bad days in a farmer's life, impacted by unpredictable weather.

Snowfall is restricted to the Himalayan region.

In India, snowfall occurs primarily in the Himalayas, which are the tallest mountain ranges in the country. These mountains trap cold air and moisture, leading to snowfall during the winter. In contrast, other regions, even if they have rainfall, do not experience snowfall due to their lower elevations and warmer temperatures.

Think of the Himalayas as giant iceboxes. Just like you might find frost inside an icebox, the high altitude and cooler temperatures of the Himalayas allow for snowfall, while the rest of India, which falls below this height, remains warm and rain-soaked but without snow.

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