The four-month long Monsoon season in India has officially come to an end. The first fortnight of October is generally the transforming period when reversal of winds takes place, a temporary rise in temperatures are witnessed, rain and cloud cover decreases across the country. In South India, withdrawal of Southwest monsoon normally coincides with onset of Northeast monsoon.
Withdrawal is generally not attempted before 1st of September and commences from extreme west Rajasthan. Just as the onset is eagerly awaited, even withdrawal is keenly followed and this year withdrawal was slightly delayed. After retreating from Northwest, monsoon quickly bid farewell to Central India. Monsoon has withdrawn from Saurashtra and Kutch, north Gujarat, west Madhya Pradesh, west and central Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Monsoon has retreated from the national capital as well and conditions now seem favourable for its withdrawal from the hilly states of North India. The figure above shows that the monsoon line now passes through Veraval, Baroda, Indore, Bhopal, Satna, Allahabad, Lucknow, Bareilly, Chandigarh and Jammu.
Weather in India
North and Central India will witness clear skies and temporary rise in temperatures. Withdrawal of monsoon necessarily does not mean complete cessation of weather activity. Any feeble Western Disturbance passing through North India could trigger some localised weather activity. However, any significant rain can be ruled out for the time being.
Even after the official end of monsoon, Northeast India continues to receive rains at least for the first fortnight of October. However, rain will now follow a reducing trend over Northeast India and the west coast. In South India, whenever good showers will be visible within the first fortnight of October, one can say Northeast Monsoon has set in. Northeast Monsoon mainly affects Tamil Nadu, south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema.
