Which one of the following would have happened if the Himalayas did not exist ?

The Himalayas act as a critical climatic divide for the Indian subcontinent. They provide an invincible shield that protects the region from frigid, dry winds originating near the Arctic Circle and blowing across Central Asia and Siberia [2]. Without this towering mountain barrier, these cold and chilly winds would sweep directly into the Indian subcontinent during the winter months, drastically lowering temperatures across the North Indian plains [1]. Consequently, the region would experience severe cold winters similar to the harsh, dry climate of Central Asia [1]. Additionally, the Himalayas play a vital role in the monsoon system by intercepting moisture-laden summer monsoon winds from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, forcing them to shed rainfall within the subcontinent [2]. In their absence, these winds would pass over India without causing significant precipitation, potentially turning the northern plains into a desert-like, arid region [2].

Sources

1. [1] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Climate > FACTORS DETERMINING THE CLIMATE OF INDIA > p. 29
2. [2] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 2: Physiography > 1. Climatic Influence > p. 28