Southwest Monsoon Withdrawal Predicted by IMD

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates the southwest monsoon will begin withdrawing from India between September 19 and 25. The monsoon, which started on June 1, has brought 8% higher rainfall than normal. Monsoon rains are essential for agriculture and water reservoirs across the country.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Thursday that the southwest monsoon is expected to commence its withdrawal from the country between September 19 and 25.

Traditionally, the southwest monsoon arrives in Kerala by June 1 and spreads across the entire nation by July 8. It starts receding from northwest India around September 17 and completely retreats by October 15.

The IMD stated, 'Conditions are likely to become favourable for withdrawal of southwest monsoon from some parts of northwest India during the second half of the week (September 19-25).' Since the monsoon season began on June 1, the country has experienced 836.7 mm of rainfall, which is eight per cent above the normal level of 772.5 mm.

While East and Northeast India saw 16 per cent below-normal rainfall, northwest, central, and south India recorded excess rainfall of four per cent, 19 per cent, and 25 per cent respectively. Earlier, the IMD had forecasted above-normal rainfall for this season, with total precipitation estimated at 106 per cent of the long-period average of 870 mm.

The IMD accurately predicted below-normal monsoon rainfall for northeast India, normal levels for northwest India, and above-normal levels for the central and southern peninsular regions. However, places like Punjab, northeastern states, Himachal Pradesh, the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, and certain parts of Bihar have reported deficient rainfall thus far.

The monsoon plays a vital role in India's agriculture, as 52 per cent of the net cultivated area relies on it. Additionally, monsoon rains are crucial for replenishing reservoirs used for drinking water and power generation.

(With inputs from agencies.)