Science
In this special episode of the Skymet Podcast, AVM (Retd.) G.P. Sharma takes stock of the first 40 days of the Southwest Monsoon. This year’s monsoon has shown some unusual and fascinating trends compared to previous years. He explains how the monsoon advances through two main branches—Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal—and how these work together to drench the country. The episode also breaks down the three distinct phases of monsoon progression: south to north, east to west, and then widespread expansion across the plains. The monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 24—its earliest onset in 15 years. The episode dives into its current pace and what lies ahead. A must-listen for farmers, weather enthusiasts, researchers, and policymakers keen to understand India’s monsoon structure, movement, and impact.