The tidal-force theory of the Indian summer monsoon

CK Raju

This article elaborates on the theory that both lunar and solar tractive tidal forces generate the wind flows responsible for the ISMR. Monsoon variability shows that the monsoon (ISMR) is not periodic simply on the tropical year or the Gregorian calendar. However, it was observed that the seemingly delayed monsoons of 2004 and 2026 came right on time for the rainy season on the traditional Indian calendar, and this article provides a physical and causal basis for that observation. Tidal forces act simultaneously at anti-podal points, so this may also lead to a better causal explanation for the ENSO-ISMR negative correlation between anti-podal phenomenon, better than the Walker circulation which is speculative and tenuous, as proved by debates over the last century.