Which of the following statements regarding south-west monsoon in India is/are correct? I. Monsoon reaches the Malabar coast first II. Rajasthan does not get rainfall from south west monsoon III. South-west monsoon retreats when the permanent wind belts start shifting to the south Select the correct answer using the code given below

Statement I is correct as the south-west monsoon typically bursts on the Malabar Coast in Kerala around June 1st, marking its official onset over the Indian mainland [3][t1][t2]. Statement II is incorrect; while the Thar Desert in western Rajasthan receives minimal rainfall due to descending, drying winds and the Aravalli range's orientation, the state does receive rainfall from the south-west monsoon, particularly in its eastern and southern parts [2][t1]. Statement III is correct; the retreat of the monsoon begins in September as the sun migrates southward, causing the permanent wind belts and the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) to shift south [1][t1]. This shift leads to the weakening of the low-pressure trough over the Ganga plains and the gradual withdrawal of the monsoon winds from northern India [1]. Therefore, only statements I and III are correct.

Sources

1. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > Progress of the Monsoons > p. 16
2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > Progress of the Monsoons > p. 17
3. [1] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate of India > 4. Season of Retreating Monsoon > p. 25