As monsoon withdrawal begins, season may end with 10% deficit

NEW DELHI: The southwest (summer) monsoon, which has so far reported a nationwide deficit of 15% in cumulative (June 1-Sept 19) rainfall, started withdrawing from west Rajasthan Saturday, as against the normal date of Sept 17, IMD has said.The line of withdrawal Saturday passed through Ramgarh, Mohangarh, Phalodi and Khajuwala. "Conditions are also favourable for further withdrawal from some more parts of Rajasthan and some parts of Punjab and Saurashtra and Kachchh over the next three-four days," said the Met department.The monsoon normally starts withdrawing from Sept 17 and the process ends on Oct 15 - a few days ahead of the onset of the winter monsoon in peninsular India.As many as 14 states, including Bihar, Punjab, Haryana and all five peninsular states, have reported a rain deficit of more than 20% so far.