Nature Season 2 Episode 12 Missing Monsoon

In the twelfth episode of the second season of Nature, titled "Missing Monsoon," viewers are taken on a journey to the Indian subcontinent to explore the complex relationship between climate change and the monsoon season. As the world's largest rainmaker, the monsoon is responsible for providing water to millions of people, supporting essential ecosystems, and driving regional economies.

However, in recent years, the monsoon has become increasingly unreliable, with some regions experiencing devastating floods while others suffer from extended droughts. Scientists are struggling to understand the causes behind these erratic weather patterns, but they suspect that human activities, such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, are playing a significant role.

Against this backdrop, the episode follows three distinct stories, each highlighting the unique challenges facing communities in different parts of the region. In the first segment, viewers travel to the eastern state of Odisha, which is particularly vulnerable to tropical cyclones that frequently hit the coast. Despite building sturdy shelters and implementing early warning systems, many locals continue to struggle with the aftermath of these storms, which often destroy crops and homes.

Next, the show takes us to the western state of Gujarat, where farmers are grappling with an unprecedented water crisis. In recent years, the monsoon has been arriving later and later, leaving fields dry and crops withering in the fields. To cope with this reality, many farmers have turned to innovative techniques, such as drip irrigation and rainwater harvesting, to supplement traditional water sources.

Finally, viewers visit the high-altitude desert of Ladakh in the northernmost region, where people are facing the consequences of a melting glacier. For centuries, the glacier has provided a steady stream of water to the villages below, but now it is shrinking rapidly, leaving locals to find new ways of coping with a rapidly changing landscape.

Throughout the episode, viewers also hear from experts who are working to unravel the mysteries of the monsoon and understand the larger contexts that drive its behavior. Climate scientists explain how global warming is shifting oceanic currents and atmospheric patterns in ways that make the monsoon more unpredictable. Economists discuss the importance of the monsoon for regional development and the challenges of adapting to a changing climate.

Overall, "Missing Monsoon" is a thought-provoking and illuminating exploration of one of the world's most incredible natural phenomena. As climate change upends traditional weather patterns and water sources, it is vital that we understand the complex and interrelated factors that are contributing to these changes. Whether we live in India or halfway across the world, the monsoon affects us all, and this episode offers crucial insights into its past, present, and future.