The researchers studied the interaction between the monsoon and the Indian Ocean using data from 1972 and 1973. In 1972, there was a drought, leading to colder ocean temperatures and weak monsoon winds. This caused a warm ocean anomaly that lasted until May 1973. In contrast, 1973 had excess rainfall and cold ocean anomalies reappeared in October. The study found that these changes in ocean temperatures and wind patterns influenced the strength and direction of the monsoon in the region.