Monsoon finally withdraws from Maharashtra after overstaying for 15 days

The monsoon season officially starts on July 1 and ends on September 30

The southwest monsoon withdrew from Maharashtra on Tuesday, said officials from the weather bureau. Mumbai received 3,029.9mm rain in this monsoon, the highest in six years.

Mumbai received 3,029.9mm rain in this monsoon, the highest in six years. (Pratik Chorge/HT Photo)

The monsoon season officially starts on July 1 and ends on September 30. However, over the past decade, rain has continued to lash Mumbai well into October. The monsoon withdrew from the city on October 14 in 2016, on October 15 in 2015 and October 20 in 2014.

The monsoon’s northern limit is passing through Karnataka and there are favourable conditions for the onset of the northeast monsoon over the southern peninsula from Thursday, the weather bureau said.

Mumbai’s rainfall this year has also been 772mm or 25.47% in excess of the annual average of 2,258mm. The city braved two bouts of heavy rainfall on August 29-30 and September 19-20, recording more than 300mm rain within 24 hours on each occasion.

Officials from the weather department said there was hardly any delay as southwest monsoon withdrawal entered Maharashtra on October 16. “We observe a delay of hardly a few days as the southwest monsoon takes this much time to pass through the state. While we have announced the withdrawal, the possibility of some rainfall over Marathwada and central Maharashtra is expected later in this week,” said KS Hosalikar, deputy director general, western region, India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Of the four main subdivisions, Konkan recorded a 10% excess rainfall, central Maharashtra had an 18% excess rain, Marathwada witnessed a 4% deficient rain with Nanded having the least amount of rain in the district, and Vidarbha saw a 23% deficient rainfall.

“Overall Mumbai received good rain this monsoon. However, apart from Vidarbha, the monsoon has performed well over the state. While June was good, the damage was done in July. But the recovery started from the second week of August. Even in October, the state has received good rainfall,” said Hosalikar.

Total rainfall in Mumbai between June and October

2012 – 2,057.6 mm

2013 – 2,518.2 mm

2014 – 2,322.2 mm

2015 – 1,854.5 mm

2016 – 2, 973.2 mm

2017 – 3,029.9mm

(Source: India Meteorological Department)