The southwest monsoon will withdraw from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh within 48 hours, the weather office said on October 2. The retreat marks the end of this year’s rainy season in the northwest. The season was largely normal across the country. India received 87 percent of the long-period average rainfall. Total rainfall stood at 759.4 mm for the season. But the distribution was uneven. The northeast had its driest monsoon since 1901. Farmers in some regions faced dry spells during key growing weeks. Others battled floods and waterlogging. The withdrawal is proceeding on schedule. Clear skies will follow in the northern plains. Day temperatures may rise slightly. The focus now shifts to winter crops. Sowing of wheat and mustard will begin soon. Weather experts will watch the northeast monsoon, which brings rain to Tamil Nadu and coastal Andhra Pradesh. The weather office will issue its winter forecast next week, with early signs of a normal cold season.