The withdrawal of monsoon is expected to set in the country from certain parts of north-west during the next two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier predicted a delayed withdrawal, which usually begins from first week of September and is over by September 15.
According to the forecast, dry weather would prevail over most parts of northwestern parts of the country, making conditions favourable for withdrawal of monsoon.However, as per the IMD predictions, central Maharashtra and the adjoining regions, is likely to receive only isolated rainfall till September 24.
Further, rain or thundershowers would occur at most places accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall over sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and North-Eastern States during the first half of the week which is likely to be followed by a decrease in intensity. It however added that rainfall activity would increase over south Peninsular India during the second half of the week.
According to IMD data, country has been deficient by 12% below average. Of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions, rainfall has been normal over 25 and deficient over 11 sub-divisions, while no sub-division is under scanty rainfall category. As per area-wise distribution, 72% area of the country has received normal rainfall and remaining 28% varying from deficient to scanty rainfall.
According to sources in IMD, rainfall activity has been dwindling over the country as a whole as well as over all four regions including North-West, Central, East and North-East India except south Peninsula, where it was 13% above the long period average (lPA).The IMD data said that out of the 36 meteorological subdivisions, rainfall was surplus over five sub-divisions, normal over 10, deficient over 14 and scanty over seven sub-divisions during the period.
According to area-wise distribution, 46% area of the country received excess to normal rainfall, 35% deficient rainfall and 19% area received scanty rainfall between September 11 and 17.