The summer monsoon that has brought much-needed relief to large parts of India this season is now beginning its gradual retreat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed on Monday. While the overall trend points toward drier conditions setting in across most of the country, officials cautioned that rain is not entirely out of the picture just yet.
The IMD noted that the monsoon depression that had been hovering over central India has weakened considerably, and the system is moving slowly toward the Bay of Bengal. As the seasonal winds begin their transition, rainfall is expected to taper off in northwestern and central India over the next 48 hours. However, pockets of light to moderate rainfall may continue along the east coast and in select northeastern states such as Assam, Meghalaya, and parts of Odisha.
Weather experts explained that the monsoon withdrawal is a phased process that typically unfolds over two to three weeks. The retreat usually begins from the northwest — starting with Rajasthan and Gujarat — before gradually moving eastward and southward. This year, the IMD anticipates the withdrawal will follow a similar trajectory, with Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh likely seeing a noticeable decline in rainfall by early September.
The monsoon, which is critical for India's agricultural economy and water reserves, has been somewhat erratic this year. While many regions received near-normal or above-normal rainfall, several areas including parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka recorded deficit figures. Farmers in those regions have expressed concern about how the advancing withdrawal could affect rabi crop sowing if dry spells persist too long.
Meanwhile, the meteorological department has also warned residents along the Konkan and Goa coasts to remain cautious. Post-withdrawal rainfall events, often driven by broken monsoon conditions or residual low-pressure systems, can sometimes produce sudden heavy bursts that lead to urban flooding or landslides in vulnerable terrain.
The IMD stated that detailed weekly outlooks will be released in the coming days to help both the public and government agencies prepare for the shifting weather patterns.
