The southwest monsoon has withdrawn from much of north and central India. The India Meteorological Department announced the withdrawal on Saturday.

Recent formal withdrawals cover Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh. The monsoon entered Himachal on June 30 and stayed active for around 93 days.

The 2026 season ended with a national rainfall shortfall of about 10 to 13 percent. All-India rainfall stood at 87 percent of the long-period average. Forecasters link the pattern in part to a strengthening El Nino in the Pacific.

The Northeast recorded a 26 percent deficit for June to September, raising concerns for kharif yields. Madhya Pradesh is expected to complete withdrawal by around October 10.

Active weather systems will keep the southern peninsula and the Northeast wet. Isolated heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected over Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam for several days.

The IMD forecasts a short spell of rain and thunderstorms for northwest India and the western Himalaya between October 5 and 7. A fresh western disturbance will bring light rain to Himachal’s plains and mid-hills.

For October to December, the IMD projects rainfall at 88 to 112 percent of normal, mostly focused on the southern peninsula and east coast.