Question

The average annual rainfall of India is ____________.

• A. 119.4 mm
• B. 119.4 cm
• C. 11.94 m
• D. 219 cm

Hint:

Remember India's average annual rainfall in both common units:
- 119.4 cm
- 1194 mm
Paying close attention to units (cm vs mm) prevents common mistakes on exams.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
India possesses a diverse climate, with rainfall varying significantly from hyper-arid deserts in Rajasthan to wet regions like Mawsynram in Meghalaya.
The average annual rainfall of the country is a key climatological and hydrological baseline used for water resource planning and agricultural policy.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The average annual rainfall of India is calculated by averaging long-term precipitation data collected from meteorology stations across the country.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD):
- The average annual rainfall of India is approximately 119.4 cm (which is equivalent to 1194 mm).
Let us review the options to verify the unit:
- Option (A) is 119.4 mm, which is too small (arid level).
- Option (B) is 119.4 cm, which is the correct value.
- Option (C) is 11.94 m, which is equivalent to 1194 cm (excessively high).
- Option (D) is 219 cm, which is incorrect.
India receives about 75% of this rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon season (June to September).
Despite this relatively high average rainfall, seasonal and spatial variations lead to drought in some regions and floods in others.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (B).