Monsoon rains show signs of departure

India’s southwest monsoon on Thursday started withdrawing from some parts of west Rajasthan, signalling end of its fourmonth journey over the Indian mainland.

The rains, so far five per cent below normal, are now likely to withdraw from some more parts of central and north India in the next few days. The withdrawal has been delayed by 15 days.

Till Wednesday, India had received 766.1 millimetres of rainfall while the full-season normal is around 889 millimetres. To reach this from here, the country has to receive at least 7.6 millimetres of rainfall daily, which would have to be at least double the September average of four-five millimetres every day. “This looks very unlikely, which further lends credence to the fact that IMD (India Meteorological Department) might have got its forecast wrong this year,” a former official said.

The data also showed that till Wednesday, rains over north-west India were around two per cent below normal, while in Central India one per cent above normal.

In east and north-east India, 13 per cent below normal.

IMD, in its weekly update, said rains would continue over east and north-east India and over parts of Maharashtra till September 23 (next Friday).

“Today, the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from some parts of west Rajasthan,” it added.