IMD Says Monsoon Withdrawal May Pause for a Week

IMD Says Monsoon Withdrawal May Pause for a Week

The southwest monsoon may halt its retreat. Fresh rain is likely across central, eastern, and northern India. The system has already left Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, most of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. Further withdrawal may wait about a week. Active weather systems are still producing rain.

A deep depression has moved inland after crossing the Odisha coast. The India Meteorological Department says it should weaken as it crosses Chhattisgarh, east Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Heavy rain is likely over the next four days in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Telangana may also see showers and thunder.

The first week of October could change the pattern. IMD’s extended outlook says conditions may then favour withdrawal from the rest of northwest, central, and east India. A western disturbance is also likely to affect northwest India around that time.

From October 1 to 7, light to moderate rain may fall over many parts of the western Himalayan region. The Northeast, east, central, and peninsular India may get rain as well. IMD also says the next phase of withdrawal could cover northwest India, south interior Karnataka, and Kerala once conditions allow.

The national rainfall outlook for that week is below normal. Some belts should still receive spells, including the Northeast, the east, and the western Himalayas.

Final withdrawal is not expected before October 1. IMD says the large-scale wind pattern must first shift away from the present southwesterly regime. Until then, several states should stay prepared for more rain.