India’s southwest monsoon, the country’s main rain-bearing season, has begun withdrawing from parts of western Rajasthan, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
The monsoon reached Kerala on June 4 and covered the country by July 9. While withdrawal typically sets in around September 17, the IMD said the retreat started slightly later this year.
According to the IMD, the monsoon has begun pulling back via areas including Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi and Khajuwala in Rajasthan. It is expected to withdraw from parts of Punjab and Gujarat over the next three to four days, followed by a gradual retreat from Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, bringing drier weather.
The IMD attributed the season’s shortfall to intensifying El Nino conditions. As of the latest assessment, cumulative rainfall stood at 69.5 cm—about 15% below the long-period average—with June, August and September recording below-normal rain in many places.
Rainfall deficiency has affected about 43% of the country, with southern states hit the hardest at a 28% shortfall. Deficits reported include Andhra Pradesh (43%), Karnataka (31%), Kerala (28%), Tamil Nadu (22%) and Telangana (21%). Despite the withdrawal, the IMD noted that a deep low-pressure system may form over the Bay of Bengal in the coming days and cross the coast between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.
