Earliest Withdrawal Of Decade Likely: Monsoon Retreat Soon From Delhi

After a brief pause, the withdrawal of the monsoon resumed from northern and western parts. The stream has retreated from most parts of Rajasthan, half of Punjab and Haryana, and some more parts of Gujarat. The line of withdrawal passes just next to Delhi and runs through Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Jind, Rewari, Tonk, Mehsana, and Porbandar. Under favourable conditions, it is likely to withdraw further from more parts of Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. Simultaneously, it will vacate large parts of the northern mountainous region.

The normal date of withdrawal from Delhi is 25th September. Invariably, the monsoon has been noticed to extend its stay and withdraw either at the absolute fag end of the month or extend further into the first week of October. The latest retreat from Delhi was on 17th October in 2013, very close to the onset date of 22nd October of the Northeast Monsoon over the South Peninsula. Incidentally, the monsoon had arrived 13 days ahead of schedule in that year and still ended on a deficit note for the national capital.

Due to the total absence of rain and a fair amount of sunshine, the day temperature has hovered around 35°C or more for the last 4 days. Yesterday, the base station Safdarjung and Lodhi Road Office recorded highs of 35.3°C and 35.8°C, respectively. A similar range of temperature is expected through the week.

Despite the early signs of withdrawal, the capital city has accumulated 902.6 mm of seasonal rainfall so far, against the normal of 640.4 mm, an excess of 41%. Delhi has received above-normal rainfall in each of the monsoon months this season. However, no more rainfall is expected in the remaining days of the month.