Archive · 15 Sep 2026
India's Monsoon Withdrawal Likely To Begin Around September 19
The rainy season in India may start ending around September 19.
This is about two days later than usual.
The withdrawal is expected to begin in west Rajasthan.
It may take about one month for the rains to retreat from the whole country.
India receives more than three-quarters of its yearly rain during this season.
The rains help farmers grow crops such as rice, pulses, cotton and sugarcane.
Overall rainfall has been below normal, although July brought a small improvement.
Crop planting increased but is still slightly lower than last year.
The India Meteorological Department expects the southwest monsoon to begin withdrawing around September 19, later than the normal date of September 17.
Withdrawal is likely to start in west Rajasthan and take about a month to cover the entire country.
Monsoon rainfall from June 1 to September 13 was 14.7% below the long-period average.
East and northeast India and south peninsular India recorded the largest regional shortfalls, at 25% and 28% below normal.
Kharif crop sowing recovered after July and August rains but remains 1.45% below last year's acreage.
- Who
- The India Meteorological Department forecast the likely monsoon withdrawal.
- What
- The southwest monsoon is expected to begin withdrawing from India around September 19.
- When
- Around September 19, after the June-September monsoon season.
- Where
- Withdrawal is expected to begin in west Rajasthan and then spread across the country.
- Why
- The seasonal monsoon is reaching its usual end after providing most of India's annual rainfall and supporting kharif crops.
- Expected withdrawal date
- Around September 19
- Normal withdrawal date
- September 17
- Withdrawal starting point
- West Rajasthan
- Seasonal rainfall
- 14.7% below the long-period average from June 1 to September 13
- District rainfall status
- 343 of about 740 districts recorded deficient to large deficient rainfall; 398 recorded normal to large excess rainfall
- September forecast
- Below normal, or below 91% of the benchmark
- Kharif acreage
- About 1.45% below last year and 0.72% below the five-year normal average