Assertion (A): Rainfall is scanty on the east of Western Ghats. Reason (R): The east of Western Ghats is on the lee side.

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A

Moist SW winds rain on the windward west slopes; the lee (east) side gets little — the rain shadow.

The idea

A mountain’s windward side faces the incoming moist wind; the leeward side lies behind the barrier. Rising air loses moisture on the windward slope. Descending air warms on the lee slope and its relative humidity falls, so rain is reduced.

Moist Arabian Sea wind meets the Ghats → Air rises on the western slope → Cooling produces condensation → Rain removes moisture → Air crosses the ridge → Descent warms the air → Eastern plateau lies in a rain shadow

Why the others are wrong

(b) R is the reason.

(c) R is true.

(d) A is true.

Also know

Mahabaleshwar and Pune illustrate the wet Ghats–drier plateau contrast. Ladakh is a rain shadow behind Himalayan barriers. In a different seasonal wind, the exposed slope can change, so windward and leeward are defined by wind direction.