Key Points:
- Southwest monsoon has begun early withdrawal from West Rajasthan on September 14, three days ahead of normal schedule
- Heavy to very heavy rainfall continues across Northeast India and Maharashtra for next 2-3 days
- 16 districts in Eastern UP face heavy rain alerts with thunderstorms and lightning
- Bihar braces for 5-day continuous rainfall with heavy downpours and lightning expected
- Delhi-NCR experiences clear skies with partly cloudy conditions and temperatures reaching 34-36°C
- Monsoon withdrawal expected from more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat in next 2-3 days
New Delhi: The monsoon season continues to dominate India’s weather pattern, bringing both relief through early withdrawal in some regions and concerns with persistent heavy rainfall across multiple states. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued comprehensive alerts as the country experiences a complex weather transition.
Early Monsoon Withdrawal Begins
The southwest monsoon has officially begun its retreat from parts of West Rajasthan on September 14, marking the earliest withdrawal in a decade. This withdrawal occurs three days ahead of the normal date of September 17, with the withdrawal line currently passing through Sri Ganganagar, Nagaur, Jodhpur, and Barmer. The IMD confirms that conditions are favorable for further withdrawal from additional parts of Rajasthan, along with some areas of Punjab and Gujarat over the next 2-3 days.
The early withdrawal is attributed to the development of anti-cyclonic circulation over West Rajasthan at 1.5km above mean sea level, absence of rainfall for five consecutive days, and reduced atmospheric moisture content. This year’s monsoon had made an early onset over Kerala on May 24, covering the entire country by June 29.
Northeast and Maharashtra Face Heavy Downpours
Despite the withdrawal in northwest regions, heavy to very heavy rainfall continues to lash Northeast India and Maharashtra for the next 2-3 days. The seven northeastern states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura – are expected to experience continuous rainfall until September 21.
Maharashtra’s Konkan region, Goa, Madhya Maharashtra, and Marathwada face warnings of extremely heavy rainfall exceeding 21cm on September 16, with continued heavy downpours expected through September 18. These regions remain under the active monsoon influence, with no immediate relief from torrential rains.
Uttar Pradesh Under Heavy Rain Alert
The IMD has issued heavy rain alerts for 16 districts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh today, with thunderstorms and lightning accompanying the downpours. Western UP also faces the possibility of scattered rainfall, while eastern regions bear the brunt of intense weather activity.
Districts including Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Ballia, Meerut, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bahraich, and Shravasti are particularly vulnerable to heavy rainfall with lightning strikes. The weather pattern indicates continued monsoon activity across the state, with heavy rains expected to persist through September 18-19.
Bihar Prepares for Extended Rainfall
Bihar faces a dramatic weather shift with the IMD warning of continuous rainfall for the next five days. The state can expect heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning between September 15-19, potentially causing local flooding and waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
Weather models suggest Bihar could experience 8-15 rainy days during September, with temperatures ranging between 27°C and 34°C. The sudden weather change brings both relief from heat and concerns about flood-like conditions in low-lying areas.
Delhi-NCR Enjoys Clear Weather
In contrast to the heavy rainfall elsewhere, Delhi-NCR experiences clear weather conditions with partly cloudy skies expected to continue until September 18. The maximum temperatures will range between 34-36°C, while minimum temperatures hover around 23-25°C.
The IMD forecast indicates no significant rainfall probability for the national capital region, though intermittent light clouds may appear. Residents should prepare for warm and humid conditions with atmospheric pressure around 100.5 kPa and humidity levels at 77%.
Central India Braces for Continued Monsoon Activity
States across Central India, including Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand, remain under heavy rainfall warnings from September 15-19. These regions continue to experience active monsoon conditions with isolated very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall recorded in recent days.
The persistent monsoon activity across Central India indicates the seasonal rains’ reluctance to withdraw completely, maintaining agricultural benefits while posing challenges for daily life and transportation networks.
The current weather pattern reflects India’s complex monsoon dynamics, with withdrawal beginning in the northwest while heavy rains persist across northeastern, central, and western regions, requiring continued vigilance and preparedness from authorities and residents alike.
