CLIMATE OF INDIA — Mean rainfall in the peninsular interior On average, the interior parts of Peninsular India receive approximately how much rainfall per year?

Introduction / Context:India’s rainfall pattern is strongly shaped by the southwest and northeast monsoons, topography, and continentality. The peninsular interior lies in the rain-shadow of the Western Ghats and typically receives moderate rainfall compared with coastal belts and northeastern India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• “Peninsular interior” excludes the high-rainfall west coast and the dry northwest.
• We seek an approximate mean figure suitable for general studies.
• Values vary locally; question asks for a representative average.

Concept / Approach:With orographic blocking by the Western Ghats and distance from moisture sources, much of interior Maharashtra, Karnataka plateau, Telangana, and adjacent regions fall near the 600–800 mm isohyets. A rounded mid-range figure of about 650 mm is commonly cited in exam contexts.

Step-by-Step Solution:Identify geographic scope → interior Deccan and adjoining plateaus.Recall typical isohyets: ~600–800 mm, often clustered near ~650 mm average.Select the closest conventional value among the options.

Verification / Alternative check:Climatological maps show lower rainfall east of the Western Ghats compared to coastal Konkan–Malabar (exceeding 2,000 mm). The interior average aligns with ~650 mm widely used in competitive exams.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:550 mm — low for many interior pockets; closer to semi-arid margins.750–850 mm — possible locally but above the representative average.1,000 mm — typical of wetter belts, not the interior mean.

Common Pitfalls:Using coastal or orographic maxima to estimate interior averages; always account for rain-shadow effects.

Final Answer:650 mm a year