Southwest monsoon withdraws from northwest India; IMD forecasts dry weather over region till October 3
PTC Web Desk: The Southwest Monsoon has completely withdrawn from northwest India, leaving behind an unusual trail of excessive rainfall, swollen rivers, and historic inflows into major reservoirs that caused severe flooding this year.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon retreated from the entire Western Himalayan region, including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, on September 26.
Rainfall figures reveal significant surpluses compared to long-period averages (LPA). From June 1 to September 26, Punjab recorded 621.4 mm of rain, 42% above its LPA of 436.4 mm, while Haryana received 568.4 mm, 34% above its LPA of 424.1 mm.
Himachal Pradesh logged 1,022.8 mm, nearly 40% higher than its LPA of 729.5 mm. In contrast, 2024 saw a rain deficit of 28% in Punjab, 5% in Haryana, and 18% in Himachal Pradesh, as per IMD data.
The excessive rainfall triggered record inflows into reservoirs. The Pong Dam on the Beas River witnessed peak inflows of 2.2 lakh cusecs, pushing water levels more than five feet above its maximum permissible limit of 1,390 feet. To manage the surge, the dam authorities discharged around one lakh cusecs daily for several days. As of September 27, the water level stood at 1,390.26 feet, with an inflow of 17,291 cusecs and an outflow of 24,823 cusecs, according to the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
At the Bhakra Dam on the Sutlej, levels were maintained about two feet below the maximum permissible limit of 1,680 feet. On September 27, the water stood at 1,674.70 feet, with an inflow of 41,334 cusecs and an outflow of 32,000 cusecs.
Looking ahead, the IMD has forecast dry weather across northwest India until October 3. Punjab and Haryana are not expected to receive rainfall, though light showers may occur in isolated parts of Haryana on October 1.
- With inputs from agencies
