Which statement best explains why Shillong gets around 200 cm rainfall annually, whereas Cherrapunji (~30 km away) gets over 1250 cm annually?
Cherrapunji lies on the leeward side of the Khasi hills and Shillong lies on the windward side.
Cherrapunji lies on the windward side of the Khasi hills and receives rainfall from the Bay of Bengal branch of monsoon, while Shillong lies on the leeward side forming a rain shadow area.
Cherrapunji gets rainfall from clouds coming from the Himalayas, whereas Shillong gets rainfall from the Malabar branch of monsoon.
The average temperature of Shillong has risen due to excessive deforestation and pollution.
Answer and explanation
Cherrapunji lies on the windward side of the Khasi Hills, directly exposed to moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal branch of the southwest monsoon, causing extremely heavy orographic rainfall. Shillong, on the leeward side, lies in the rain shadow area and receives significantly less rainfall.