18 March 2025
A Reading scientist presented research on monsoon rainfall over India at parliament last week.
Dr Akshay Deoras, from the 成人抖阴's Department of Meteorology, was shortlisted as a finalist in the Physics category of the STEM for Britain award. The competition, run by the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee and held annually in the UK since 1997, is designed to showcase and support outstanding early-stage research by young scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
Dr Deoras’s research has shown how intrusions of dry air disrupt the Indian monsoon by triggering dry spells. The timing and amount of monsoon rainfall over India vary each year, and these variations have a direct impact on rain-fed agriculture and other users of water resources. In particular, a series of consecutive dry spells in a monsoon season causes water stress, eventually leading to a drought. By forecasting dry intrusions early, meteorologists can give communities vital time to prepare for water shortages.
The STEM for Britain event took place on Tuesday, 11 March at the House of Commons, where Dr Deoras presented his research to fellow scientists and MPs, including Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley.
Dr Akshay Deoras said: “Presenting my research at the House of Commons was a chance to demonstrate how science and innovation can drive positive change, not just in academia but in society as a whole. By improving our ability to forecast these dry intrusions, we can help agricultural communities in India adapt their farming practices and water management strategies in advance, potentially mitigating the worst impacts of drought conditions."
Images: John Deehan Photography and the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee
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