As monsoon withdrawal begins, season may end with 10% deficit
14 States Have Reported Rain Deficit Of More Than 20% So Far
NEW DELHI - As the southwest monsoon begins to withdraw from west Rajasthan this Saturday, the season's overall impact may result in a 10% deficit, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The withdrawal, which passed through Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi and Khajuwala, is occurring earlier than usual, with the typical date for monsoon exit being September 17. Favorable conditions suggest further withdrawal from parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Saurashtra over the next few days.
The monsoon's withdrawal typically begins on September 17 and concludes by October 15, just before the onset of winter monsoon in peninsular India. Currently, 14 states, including Bihar, Punjab, Haryana and all five peninsular states, are experiencing a rainfall deficit of over 20%. This trend indicates that the monsoon season may end by September 30 with an overall deficit of more than 10% for the country, a level deemed drought conditions.
Despite the El Nino-linked rain deficit, kharif crop sowing has progressed well. However, the skewed timing and regional variations may impact overall yield and sowing for the upcoming rabi season. El Nino, a climatic phenomenon associated with warming ocean surface temperatures in equatorial Pacific, often brings harsh summers and weak monsoons to India.
While acreage data for kharif crops shows a slight 1% decrease this year, the water-intensive paddy crop, which accounts for most acreage, has seen a 4% decline compared to the same period last year.
Written by urgent.news from Times of India's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.