The spatial distribution of rainfall in Punjab exhibits a distinct gradient. How does the average annual precipitation vary as one moves from the northeastern sub-montane districts towards the southwestern border districts?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Precipitation in Punjab shows a clear decreasing gradient from northeast to southwest as the moisture-laden winds exhaust their humidity and move further away from the Shivalik hills and Himalayan influence. Elevation does not increase toward the southwest; instead, the terrain flattens and merges into the arid margins of the Thar Desert. Rainfall is far from uniform, varying from over 1000 mm near the hills to less than 300 mm in the southwest. There is no central Malwa plateau creating a rain-shadow zone within the plains. Analyzing precipitation gradients helps optimize regional crop selection and irrigation scheduling.