Monsoon starts withdrawing from northwest region

Annual monsoon has started withdrawing from the country's northwest region, weather officials said on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the retreat after a fortnight's delay.

The withdrawal was delayed due to a late revival of rains this month, causing floods in some parts of the region.

Usually, the season starts to diminish in early September, and withdraws completely from the grain bowl belt of northwest India by the middle of the month.

Monsoon rains are vital because more than half of India's farmland lacks irrigation, and the farm sector accounts for 14% of the national economy.