The monsoon will likely start withdrawing from the country by the end of the week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a forecast on Tuesday.
“Prevalence of dry weather is likely over western Rajasthan from tomorrow. Reduction in the moisture associated with the monsoon flow and a changeover in the low level wind pattern are also likely over this region from 27th September. These are indicative of the likely commencement of withdrawal of Southwest monsoon from western Rajasthan around 29th September,” said the forecast.
Figures from the IMD say that India is facing a 9% rainfall deficit and 11 of India’s 36 subdivisions — spanning 29% of the country’s area — have seen a deficit of 29% in monsoon rains between 1st June and 23rd September.
Typically, the monsoon begins its withdrawal from the 1st week of September, but it has been delayed primarily due to the development of cyclonic conditions.
The maximum deficit has been in northeastern India — with Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya recording a 32% and 28% shortfall in their monsoon quotas. Jharkhand, Bihar, Saurashtra and Kutch, Rayalseema and north interior Karnataka are among the subdivisions that have registered a deficit of greater than 25%.
