Science
In this week’s Skymet Podcast (EP-47), AVM (Retd.) G.P. Sharma, President of Meteorology & Climate Change at Skymet, discusses the unusual progress of Monsoon 2025 and what lies ahead. June, July, and August have all recorded above-normal rainfall, with the country achieving 102% of the Long Period Average (LPA) — a rare situation last witnessed in 2007. Although the beginning of August was relatively weak, the second half brought heavy rains that pushed the national average to 5% above normal. Looking ahead, September is likely to deliver good rainfall in the first half, followed by a decline in the latter part of the month. Mumbai has already faced extreme weather with over 200 mm of rainfall in a short span, while Gujarat, South Rajasthan, and North Maharashtra are expected to see more heavy downpours. However, deficiencies remain in East Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and across Northeast India, where Assam, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh are still facing a 30–40% shortfall, despite slight improvements in Bihar and Rayalaseema. Tune in to find out when the monsoon is likely to withdraw and how different regions may be impacted in the weeks to come.