Question

What do you mean by a rain shadow area?

Answer 1

A rain shadow area is an area of dry land that lies on the leeward(or downwind) side of a mountain. High mountains act as barriers for cold or hot winds; they may also cause precipitation if they are high enough and lie in the path of rain-bearing winds. The leeward side of the mountains remains dry. e.g. the eastern slope of the Western Ghats is the rain shadow area.