Monsoon season ends with 8% surplus rainfall, but distribution varied significantly across regions.
The southwest monsoon officially withdrew from India on October 16, a day later than its typical retreat date of October 15, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The withdrawal marks the end of the four-month monsoon period, which concluded on September 30.
During this monsoon season, the country recorded a total rainfall of 937.2 mm, resulting in an 8% surplus compared to the normal average of 868.6 mm. However, the distribution of rainfall was uneven across different regions. The eastern and northeastern areas experienced a significant shortfall, recording 1,089.9 mm, which is 20% below normal levels. IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra noted that this was the second lowest rainfall recorded in these regions since 1901, with the lowest occurring in 2013.
Conversely, northwestern India saw more favorable conditions, with rainfall measuring 747.9 mm—27.3% above the normal of 587.6 mm. The monsoon made its earliest onset in Kerala on May 24, marking the earliest arrival on the Indian mainland since 2009. The monsoon subsequently covered the entire country nine days ahead of the usual date of July 8, making it the earliest complete coverage since 2020.
Typically, the southwest monsoon is expected to reach Kerala around June 1 and withdraw from northwest India around September 17, concluding its retreat by October 15. However, this year’s weather patterns have shown some deviations from the norm. Heavy rainfall during the season led to widespread flooding in Punjab, with swollen rivers and breached canals inundating farmland and displacing thousands of residents. The Himalayan states also faced severe challenges, experiencing repeated cloudbursts and flash floods that triggered landslides, washed away bridges and roads, and caused extensive damage in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
In central India, the monsoon delivered 1,125.3 mm of rainfall, which is 15.1% above normal levels. The southern peninsula also reported a 9.9% surplus over its average rainfall of 716.2 mm. The IMD attributed the overall surplus rainfall this year to active monsoon conditions, which were bolstered by frequent western disturbances that enhanced precipitation across various regions.
Communication from officials often clarifies procedures, interim measures and any phased rollouts.
Local impact may differ by region; much depends on on-ground execution and coordination.
