Monsoon withdraws from Delhi after record-high rainfall

The southwest monsoon, which brought above-normal rainfall to most parts of the country this year, officially withdrew from Delhi on Wednesday.

Typically, the monsoon begins retreating from northwest India around September 17 and exits Delhi within a week after that.

In a statement, the IMD said, “Today, the southwest monsoon has further withdrawn from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi; parts of west Uttar Pradesh, west Madhya Pradesh, east Rajasthan, and more areas of west Rajasthan.”

During a virtual press conference on Tuesday, IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra explained that the presence of more intense low-pressure systems, particularly in August and September, led to 8 per cent higher rainfall than usual during India’s 2024 monsoon season.

The southwest monsoon season officially concluded on Monday, with the country receiving 934.8 mm of rainfall, surpassing the normal 868.6 mm — the highest since 2020.

Delhi recorded 1029.9 mm of rainfall, compared to its usual 640.3 mm during the 2024 monsoon season.

According to IMD data, 13 deaths were reported in the national capital due to floods and heavy rains.

The IMD also said that 14 low-pressure systems affected the country this monsoon, compared to the average of 13, and these systems were active for 69 days, compared to the usual 55 days.

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Of the 14 systems, five intensified into depressions or deep depressions, and one developed into a cyclonic storm.

(With inputs from PTI)