Withdrawal of the Southwest Monsoon and Onset of the Northeast Monsoon

New Delhi. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the southwest monsoon has withdrawn from the country, paving the way for the arrival of the northeast monsoon. Under its influence, a spell of rain is expected to begin in South India by October 21. Rainfall during the northeast monsoon is anticipated to remain normal.

The Meteorological Department reports that during the four-month period from June 1 to September 30, 2026, the country received 12.6 percent less rainfall than the long-period average. The southwest monsoon completely withdrew from the entire country on October 15.

The activity of the northeast monsoon is expected to intensify, and it will remain active until December. During this period, large-scale sowing of Rabi crops—notably wheat, barley, chickpea, lentil, pea, and mustard—takes place in North India. In South India, the cultivation of crops such as paddy,

chickpea, groundnut, black gram, green gram, sesame, and sunflower is prominent. Maize, sorghum, and linseed are also produced in significant quantities during the Rabi season. Meanwhile, some states continue to face the crisis of drought.