Monsoon makes its earliest exit from city in 23 yrs: IMD

A short, but intense monsoon

- Jasjeev Gandhiok and Abhishek Jha

The southwest monsoon withdrew from Delhi a day before usual on Wednesday, marking the city's earliest exit since 2002, when it retreated on September 20, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

Last year, the withdrawal came much later on October 2.

This year, the monsoon arrived in the Capital on June 29 and lasted 88 days-the ninth shortest duration since 2001, the earliest year for which comparable data is available, according to HT's analysis. The last time Delhi saw a shorter stay was in 2012, when it lasted 81 days. To be sure, the season was equally long (88 days) as recently as 2021.