Monsoon Retreat Begins Early
Monsoon Withdraws Across Northwest India in Earliest Delhi Retreat Since 2002
Anonymous
The India Meteorological Department says the southwest monsoon withdrew from Delhi on September 23, two days before its normal date, and has moved out of most of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, as well as parts of Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Delhi recorded 728.6 mm of rain this season, about 16% above normal, while Chandigarh recorded 697.6 mm, 16.1% below normal; an IMD official attributed the region’s relatively early retreat to El Niño. The withdrawal does not rule out further showers: Delhi is under a yellow alert for rain, thunderstorms and strong winds, and a Western Disturbance could bring light rain to Chandigarh. Drier conditions are expected across northwestern India, although temperatures have risen in areas including Ahmedabad and Chandigarh.
Key Points
1
The IMD declared the retreat after assessing indicators such as four to five consecutive days without rain, lower humidity and the formation of an anticyclonic circulation.
2
Delhi’s monsoon began on July 2 this year, compared with the normal onset date of June 27. The IMD’s long-term records show the city’s earliest withdrawal was September 3, 1982, and its latest was October 17, 2013.
3
The withdrawal line was reported through locations including Gurdaspur, Chandigarh, Muzaffarnagar, Aligarh, Dholpur, Udaipur, Deesa and Naliya.
4
Delhi’s rainfall total of 728.6 mm was classified by the IMD as being in the “normal rainfall” category, despite being 16% above the seasonal norm.
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