Southwest monsoon's retreat begins after three week's delay: IMD

Agriculturally important UP, MP, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Punjab received 20-30% shortfall in rain

After a three-week delay, the southwest monsoon has started withdrawing from the northern parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday. There is an overall shortfall of 5 per cent in rain till now.

The retreat of the rains usually starts in the first week of September.

Till Wednesday, almost 34 per cent of the country’s 660 districts had received deficient rain; many of these were staring at a drought. 

“In view of the establishment of an anti­cyclone in the lower tropospheric levels, substantial reduction in moisture content and dry weather prevailing over the region, the southwest