Southwest monsoon begins retreat even as 43 percent of India remains rain deficient

Southwest monsoon begins retreat even as 43 percent of India remains rain deficient

The India Meteorological Department said on 19 September 2026 that the southwest monsoon has begun withdrawing from parts of west Rajasthan, close to the climatological normal withdrawal date of 17 September, even as nearly 43 percent of the country's geographical area remains in a rainfall deficit. The withdrawal line has passed through Rajasthan's Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi and Khajuwala areas and is expected to advance across more of Rajasthan, Punjab and Kutch-Saurashtra over the next three to four days. Seasonal rainfall as of 19 September stood 15 percent below normal at 695.6 millimetres nationwide, with Meghalaya, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Bihar among the worst affected states.