Monsoon withdrawal likely from Sept 25: IMD

The monsoon will begin withdrawing from west Rajasthan around September 25, roughly eight days later than when it usually begins receding, officials said on Friday, adding that a recent surge in rains has cut a 10% deficiency in precipitation at the end of August to 6% on Friday.

- Jayashree Nandi

But that gap is unlikely to change much and rains are now expected to reduce over northwest and adjoining west central India over the next five days, the India Meteorological Department said, describing the conditions as "favourable for withdrawal of southwest monsoon from parts of west Rajasthan from around September 25". The normal date for withdrawal to begin is September 17 and completely withdraw by October 15. The season officially ends on September 30.

While there is a 6% deficiency in seasonal rainfall over, the shortfall is 19% over east and northeast India; 1% over central India, and 10% over peninsular India. There is a 2% excess over northwest India.