Which of the following cloud types is primarily responsible for the continuous heavy orographic precipitation observed along the windward slopes of the Western Ghats during the peak monsoon months?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Nimbostratus clouds are dark, low-level layered clouds characterized by producing continuous precipitation over wide areas. In the context of the Western Ghats, moisture-laden southwesterly winds are forced to ascend, cooling adiabatically and forming thick nimbostratus layers that yield prolonged heavy rain. Cirrocumulus and cirrostratus are high-altitude ice crystal clouds that do not produce rain, while altocumulus forms at medium levels with limited vertical development. Orographic lift is a primary mechanism for precipitation generation in tropical mountain ranges.