New Delhi: The Southwest Monsoon has officially begun its long-awaited retreat from the Indian subcontinent. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon commenced its withdrawal from parts of western Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Gujarat on September 19. The exit comes two days later than the normal scheduled date of September 17, wrapping up a season marked by delayed arrivals and erratic rainfall patterns.
The weather department highlighted that the monsoon’s arrival this year was also delayed, hitting the Kerala coast on June 4, which was three days behind the standard onset date. As the retreat begins, data indicates that the country has recorded a 15 percent rainfall deficit overall for the season.
However, meteorologists stress that the beginning of the withdrawal does not signify an immediate end to rainfall across the country. In fact, the IMD has issued a heavy rain alert for at least five states in the coming days. A fresh weather system is actively developing over the northern Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. This low-pressure area is expected to intensify into a depression by September 21 and a deep depression by September 22.
Under the influence of this emerging system, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and West Bengal are bracing for significant weather activity. The IMD has forecast light to moderate showers, accompanied by isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall, across these five states between September 22 and 25.
Furthermore, parts of central and eastern India remain under a severe weather watch. The IMD has warned of strong winds reaching speeds of 70 to 75 kmph in certain areas, alongside moderate to severe lightning activity in Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha. Residents in hilly states have been advised to exercise caution while travelling, and farmers are urged to stay vigilant against sudden thunderstorms.
The withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon is a gradual process that usually spans over six weeks. While dry, post-monsoon conditions are beginning to settle over northwestern India, the southern peninsula and eastern coastal regions will continue to experience active rainfall until the monsoon completely exits the subcontinent by mid-October.