Which of the following locations represents the driest part of India in terms of average annual rainfall?

Introduction / Context:

Rainfall distribution in India is highly uneven, with some regions receiving heavy monsoon rains and others remaining very dry. Knowing the locations that receive the least rainfall is useful for understanding desert climates, water scarcity, and patterns of vegetation. This question asks you to identify the driest part of India among the given options, focusing on the place with extremely low average annual rainfall.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options include Jaisalmer in Western Rajasthan, Bhatinda in Punjab, Darbhanga in Bihar, and Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
• We are concerned with long term average annual rainfall, not occasional extreme events.
• India's Thar Desert in western Rajasthan is known for very low rainfall.
• Bhatinda, Darbhanga, and Gandhinagar have semi arid to sub humid climates and receive more rain than the core desert area.

Concept / Approach:

The concept is to remember that the Thar Desert region is India's driest large region. Within this region, cities such as Jaisalmer experience very low rainfall, often less than 150 millimetres per year. The other cities listed receive considerably higher rainfall because they lie outside the main desert. Therefore, by recognising that Jaisalmer is located in the heart of the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan, we can identify it as representing the driest part of India among the given choices.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Verification can be done by consulting climatological data from the India Meteorological Department or geography textbooks that provide average rainfall figures. These sources show that western Rajasthan, and especially stations like Jaisalmer, record some of the lowest rainfall values in the country. In contrast, Bhatinda in Punjab, Darbhanga in Bihar, and Gandhinagar in Gujarat all receive more rainfall due to their location closer to monsoon winds or away from the core desert. This evidence supports the selection of Jaisalmer as the driest location among the options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Common Pitfalls:

Some learners may associate dryness only with the general idea of north west India and may mistakenly choose a city in Gujarat or Punjab. Others may not have a clear mental image of the Thar Desert's location. To avoid confusion, always remember that the driest core of the Thar Desert is in western Rajasthan and that Jaisalmer is one of the most famous towns in this region, often cited in textbooks as having extremely low rainfall.

Final Answer:

The driest part of India among the given options is Jaisalmer (Western Rajasthan).