New Delhi, Sep 12: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said that conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from parts of west Rajasthan around September 15.
The rain-bearing system, which usually makes its onset over Kerala by June 1 and covers the entire country by July 8, typically begins its retreat from northwest India around September 17 and withdraws completely by October 15.
This year, the monsoon covered the country nine days ahead of schedule, marking its earliest advance since 2020, after making landfall in Kerala on May 24 — the earliest onset since 2009.
So far, India has recorded 836.2 mm of rainfall during the season against a normal of 778.6 mm, reflecting a surplus of 7 per cent. Earlier in May, the IMD had forecast 106 per cent of the long-period average rainfall of 87 cm for the June–September period. Rainfall between 96 and 104 per cent is considered normal.
The southwest monsoon is vital for India’s agriculture sector, which sustains nearly 42 per cent of the population and contributes 18.2 per cent to the country’s GDP. It also replenishes reservoirs crucial for drinking water supply and power generation.