Monsoon Starts Retreating

After surplus rain in India...


On Monday, The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from parts of West Rajasthan and Kachchh. It is nearly a week later than usual.

In a statement, the weather department said that the withdrawal signalled the end of the monsoon’s four-month journey, which commenced in June with its arrival in Kerala.

The IMD said, however, that despite the initial withdrawal from west Rajasthan, an incoming Low-Pressure System might delay the monsoon's exit from certain areas in the north and northwest regions of India.

Till September 23, India had received a cumulative rainfall surplus of 5 per cent, with nearly all regions reporting above-average precipitation.

A strong end to the monsoon season has also replenished reservoirs. Moreover, the late surge in rainfall may have enhanced soil moisture levels.

 

Until September 20, based on the latest data from the government, kharif crops had been sown across approximately 110.46 million hectares, reflecting a 1.51 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, and 0.80 per cent above the normal acreage, defined as the average of the past five years (2018-19 to 2022-23). The standouts this season were paddy, arhar, groundnut, soybean, and maize.

Edited By: Tanvi Walia

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