In this special episode of the Skymet Weather Podcast, AVM (Retd.) G.P. Sharma, President – Meteorology & Climate Change at Skymet, discusses the progress of the 2025 Southwest Monsoon. The monsoon began with record-breaking speed, hitting both Kerala and Northeast India simultaneously on May 24 — eight days ahead of schedule. Within just two days, it reached Mumbai, much earlier than the usual June 11 arrival. Areas like Santacruz and Colaba recorded over 100 mm of rainfall, an unusual occurrence. Meanwhile, the Northeast faced flood-like conditions as a system in the Bay of Bengal triggered heavy rainfall across Konkan and Bangladesh. The Western Ghats and southern peninsula also witnessed intense early showers. However, the monsoon’s momentum suddenly stalled, and it has not progressed beyond Mumbai since.

This episode delves into the reasons behind the monsoon’s early surge, the sudden pause, what to expect in June, and which states are still awaiting rain. It also explores how this shift may impact agriculture, water availability, and daily life.

In this episode of the Skymet Podcast, AVM (Retd.) G.P. Sharma delves into one of the most dangerous and deadly natural phenomena — lightning. This topic was selected based on audience suggestions, as incidents of lightning strikes rise sharply during the pre-monsoon season, often resulting in significant loss of life and property.

After earthquakes, lightning is considered one of the deadliest natural disasters. It is an electromagnetic phenomenon caused by an imbalance of electrical charges between clouds and the ground, leading to flashes of lightning and thunder. Did you know over 100 lightning strikes occur every second across the globe?

This episode also highlights lightning-prone regions in India such as Jharkhand, Bihar, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and Northeast India.

Tune in to understand why lightning strikes, how it forms, and how to stay safe.

In this special episode of the Skymet Weather Podcast, AVM (Retd.) G.P. Sharma, President of Meteorology & Climate Change at Skymet, discusses the early onset and widespread advance of Monsoon 2025. By May 24, the monsoon had already covered a large region, progressing faster than usual. Skymet had earlier forecasted an above-normal monsoon for 2025, and current data support this prediction.

This episode delves into how the monsoon is expected to behave through June, highlighting regions likely to receive above-average rainfall and those where delays or deficiencies may occur. It also covers record-breaking rain in Mumbai, the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal, and potential heavy rainfall over Northeast India. The episode concludes with insights into when and why the monsoon may pause later in the season.

In this episode of the Skymet Podcast, AVM GP Sharma discusses the recent Delhi-to-Srinagar flight that encountered severe weather mid-air. Drawing from his own experience in the armed forces, our expert analyzes the incident and explains what happens when even the pilots, cabin crew, and those in the cockpit are caught unaware by sudden weather threats. How does rapidly changing weather turn into a serious safety risk for flights? Tune in for a grounded analysis of aviation turbulence and weather unpredictability.

In this special episode, Air Vice Marshal G.P. Sharma dives into a crucial and timely topic — Artificial Rain. What exactly is this technology? How is it implemented? And why is Delhi repeatedly considering it as a solution? With the monsoon approaching Kerala and normal rains expected, certain regions may still fall short of adequate rainfall. Artificial rain, a process that induces precipitation using chemical techniques in the presence of natural clouds, is being explored as a viable option. Delhi is likely to conduct experimental cloud seeding by the end of May or early June — its success could shape future plans. Tune in to understand the science, scope, and challenges of artificial rain — only on this special Skymet episode.

In Episode 30 of the Skymet Podcast, Air Vice Marshal GP Sharma (Retd.), President of Meteorology at Skymet, discusses the early onset of the Southwest Monsoon 2025. The monsoon has entered the South Andaman Sea on May 13, which is 8–9 days ahead of its usual schedule. If it reaches Kerala around May 27 ±2 days, it will mark the earliest onset since 2009.

AVM Sharma breaks down the significance of this early onset, satellite imagery insights, and evolving atmospheric conditions. He also analyses global climate parameters like ENSO, IOD, ONI, and the Nino Index, and their implications on the monsoon's trajectory. Stay tuned for further updates as the season unfolds.

Tune in as we break down the science behind pre-monsoon storms and discuss the critical measures needed to safeguard the skies. Listen now and share your thoughts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, and Audible!

Pre-Monsoon Storms: Why They Occur and How Does It Affect Aircraft | Skymet Podcast EP-29

In this episode of the Skymet Podcast, we dive into the volatile pre-monsoon season that’s gripping large parts of India. With dust storms, strong winds, thunderclouds, lightning, and hailstorms becoming frequent, the skies are turning unpredictable — not just for residents but also for aviation. Our experts explore how these sudden and intense weather events disrupt air travel, leading to flight delays, diversions, and serious safety concerns. What causes these phenomena? How prepared is our aviation infrastructure to handle them?

Tune in as we break down the science behind pre-monsoon storms and discuss the critical measures needed to safeguard the skies.

Listen now and share your thoughts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, and Audible!

In this special episode of the Skymet Podcast, we turn our focus to the tragic cloudburst that recently struck Ramban in Jammu & Kashmir, claiming lives and causing widespread damage. Our experts unravel the science behind cloudbursts- what triggers these sudden downpours, why they are so frequent in hilly regions, and how we can prepare better to reduce their devastating impact. From early warnings to infrastructure readiness, this episode delves into the vulnerabilities of mountain communities and the urgent need for robust mitigation strategies.

Stay tuned as we continue to decode extreme weather events and their implications across India. Listen now and share your thoughts on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, JioSaavn, Gaana, and Audible!