In Indian monsoon climatology, the Himalayas act as a massive barrier and redirect the south west monsoon winds primarily towards which direction inside India?

Introduction / Context:
The behavior of the south west monsoon winds over the Indian subcontinent is strongly influenced by the presence of the Himalayas. As a very high mountain barrier, the Himalayas block and deflect these moisture laden winds. Many exam questions ask what direction the monsoon winds are redirected toward, especially when they encounter this massive barrier. Understanding this helps explain heavy rainfall over north east India and the pattern of monsoon circulation.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The winds under discussion are the south west monsoon winds. • The obstacle is the Himalayan mountain range. • We must identify the direction inside India towards which these winds are redirected. • Options are north, north east, south east, west and south west.

Concept / Approach:
The Bay of Bengal branch of the south west monsoon moves northwards and then is blocked by the Himalayas. Because the Himalayas prevent further northward movement, the winds are forced to turn and travel along the mountain barrier towards the north east. This deflection contributes to very heavy rainfall in states such as Meghalaya, Assam and other parts of north east India.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Visualise the Bay of Bengal branch of the monsoon approaching the eastern side of India and moving towards the Ganga Brahmaputra valley. Step 2: When these winds hit the high Himalayan wall, they cannot cross it easily and are therefore deflected. Step 3: The main deflection is along the foothills of the Himalayas towards the north eastern direction. Step 4: This is why places like Cherrapunji and Mawsynram in Meghalaya, lying on the windward side of these deflected winds, receive massive rainfall. Step 5: The alternatives south east, west or south west do not match the actual observed path of the monsoon winds in northern India. Step 6: Therefore, the correct choice is north east.

Verification / Alternative check:
Climatology diagrams in textbooks show the monsoon winds bending along the Himalayas and moving eastwards and north eastwards. Rainfall distribution maps highlight extremely high rainfall in the north east, which fits with winds being forced in that direction. No standard climate model describes the Himalayas redirecting these winds purely to the west, south west or south east within India.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
North: The winds attempt to move north but are blocked; they do not continue straight north over the mountains. South east: This would imply moving back towards the Bay of Bengal region, which is not the observed pattern after hitting the Himalayas. West: Some monsoon flow follows the Himalayan foothills westwards for the plains of north India, but the classic redirection mentioned in many exam questions emphasises the north east for intense rainfall. South west: This direction is opposite to the general flow of the Bay of Bengal branch and does not describe the deflection against the mountain barrier.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse the Arabian Sea branch, which travels northwards and then slightly eastwards, with the Bay of Bengal branch and its behavior near the Himalayas. Others may think only of north and not north east, missing the important detail of movement along the eastern Himalayan foothills. To avoid mistakes, it is helpful to associate Himalayas blocking the monsoon with very high rainfall in north east India, which immediately suggests a north eastward redirection.

Final Answer:
The Himalayas redirect the south west monsoon winds primarily towards the north east inside India.