Watch Wonders of the Monsoon

Wonders of the Monsoon is a fascinating mini-series produced by BBC 2 in 2014. The show features the talented actor Colin Salmon who takes viewers on a journey through the world's most powerful weather system - the monsoon. This television program is a perfect blend of scientifically accurate information and brilliant filmmaking. It explores how the monsoon shapes the wildlife and cultures of the regions it passes through, from the lush forests of Borneo to the dry deserts of Southern India.

The series consists of five episodes, each of them focuses on different regions where the monsoon has a significant impact. In the first episode, "India: The Living Fire," viewers are introduced to the Indian monsoon, the most powerful in the world, which is celebrated by the people of India as a god. Colin takes us on a journey through the country's many stunning natural landscapes, from the lush wetlands of Kerala to the arid deserts of Rajasthan. We learn how the monsoon is critical for Indian agriculture, and how it has shaped the country's cultural and spiritual beliefs.

The second episode is titled "Borneo: The Blue River." The focus is on Southeast Asia, where the monsoon is responsible for some of the most diverse and complex ecosystems on Earth. Colin explores the dense forests of Borneo, where water is the life force that powers everything from the smallest insects to the largest predators. We learn how the intense rainfall shapes the humid forests and how the animal and plant life has developed symbiotic relationships to survive in this environment.

In the third episode, "Australia's Wet Edge," Colin travels to Australia, where the northern coast is exposed to the most violent monsoons in the world. The tropical deluges create some of the most extravagant waterfalls on the planet and unique ecological systems on land and at sea. Through the episodes, we discover how the natural world in Northern Australia has adapted to the monsoon while retaining unique heritage and indigenous cultures.

In episode four, "Sri Lanka: The Quest for Serendipity," Colin takes us to Sri Lanka, an island nation off the southeastern coast of India. The monsoons are vital for farming and fishing, yet they also bring frequent flooding and landslides. We join Colin as he discovers how Sri Lanka's culture and religion are tied to its weather, with its ancient civilization tracing its knowledge of weather patterns and coping mechanisms.

The final episode of Wonders of the Monsoon, "The Turning Tide," explores the Maldives and Bangladesh, two of the world's most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels and fierce monsoon storms are threatening the survival of these low-lying countries, putting their ecosystems and people's way of life at risk. Colin delves deep into the resilient communities of the Maldives and Bangladesh to learn how they can survive and adapt to these devastating changes.

Overall, Wonders of the Monsoon is an educational and captivating documentary that uses stunning cinematography to bring viewers closer to understanding the world's most powerful weather system. Colin Salmon's natural curiosity and deep respect for the cultures and ecosystems he visits, along with the show's careful attention to detail, make this series an engaging and exciting educational experience. Anyone with an interest in geography, weather, wildlife, and diverse cultures will be fascinated by the natural wonders, wildlife and people's resilience surprises every episode brings.