On Friday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) stated the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon is likely to take place in the first week of October or even later, a month after its normal schedule. "There is no indication of monsoon’s withdrawal in our weather models till October 7. The west Rajasthan region is likely to receive some more rain over the next few days," informed IMD’s director general of meteorology, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. Normally, the withdrawal starts on September 1 and reaches Maharashtra by October.

Rainfall Forecast and Weather Warning Dated 27.09.2019 pic.twitter.com/5jYCyODWP9

— India Met. Dept. (@Indiametdept) September 27, 2019

One of the criteria set by the India Meteorological Department to declare the commencement of southwest monsoon withdrawal is a reduction in rainfall for five consecutive days. Last year, on September 29, the withdrawal commenced which was also late. But this year, the withdrawal is expected to be delayed further. The southwest monsoon is spread over fourth months which is June to September, reported Indian Express.