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India’s Weak Monsoon Season Retreats as Rain Continues
India’s rainy season is starting to move away from parts of the country.
The weather department says it may retreat from more areas in the next three to four days.
This year, India received much less monsoon rain than usual.
The rainfall total was 87% of the long-term average.
Some places, especially in South Peninsular India, had even less rain.
But the retreat does not mean rain stops right away.
Forecasts still call for rain in several regions, including parts of the east, northeast and south.
The seasonal change is leading toward the northeast monsoon.
The India Meteorological Department said conditions favour further monsoon withdrawal over the next three to four days.
The 2026 southwest monsoon delivered 759.4 mm of rain, or 87% of the long-period average.
The season was the fourth-lowest rainfall total since 2001 and the 13th-lowest since 1901, according to the IMD.
Rain is still forecast in parts of eastern, northeastern, southern and northwestern India through mid-October.
South Peninsular India received 542.0 mm, 76% of its long-period average, its fourth-lowest monsoon total since 1901.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department reported on the southwest monsoon’s withdrawal and rainfall outlook.
- What
- The monsoon is retreating after a season with rainfall 13% below the long-period average, while rain is forecast to continue in several regions.
- Where
- Across India, including parts of eastern, northeastern, southern and northwestern India.
- When
- The IMD made the announcement on Thursday; further withdrawal is expected over the next three to four days, with some rain forecasts extending through 14 October.
- Why
- The seasonal southwest monsoon is withdrawing, marking a shift toward the northeast monsoon.
Key facts
- Seasonal rainfall
- 759.4 mm during June-September 2026
- Share of long-period average
- 87%, or 13% below average
- National ranking
- Fourth-lowest since 2001 and 13th-lowest since 1901, according to the IMD
- South Peninsular India rainfall
- 542.0 mm, or 76% of its long-period average
- Further withdrawal outlook
- Conditions favour withdrawal from more areas over the next three to four days
- Rainfall outlook
- Rain is forecast in several regions, including parts of eastern, northeastern, southern and northwestern India
- Monsoon importance
- The southwest monsoon contributes about 70% of India's annual rainfall
Sources
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