Which of the following options is not suitable for placing a rain gauge station to accurately represent rainfall in an area?

The placement of a rain gauge is crucial for accurately measuring rainfall, and each location choice has specific implications for the data collected. Positioning a rain gauge on elevated ground is not advisable for several reasons, primarily due to the potential for capturing inaccurate rainfall rates.

When a rain gauge is placed on elevated ground, it may experience different rainfall patterns compared to locations at ground level. Elevation can lead to missed precipitation due to wind effects, causing rain droplets to be dispersed before reaching the gauge. Moreover, elevated locations may also be more prone to having less representative microclimate conditions, which can skew data to reflect only the conditions experienced at a height rather than what is occurring at typical rain collector sites.

In contrast, appropriate placements like in open areas (to minimize obstruction from trees and buildings that can cause rainfall shadowing) and near the ground (to prevent splashing and ensure more accurate readings) are critical factors for accurate rainfall measurement. Thus, choosing elevated ground for a rain gauge station is not suitable for ensuring that the data reflects the true rainfall over the area.