Officials indicated that the process could be declared within the next two to three days if prevailing weather conditions persist.
The monsoon is likely to withdraw from the city this week, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.
As of Sunday, 697.6 mm rain has been recorded at the IMD observatory in Sector 39 this monsoon till now. This is 15% below normal for the corresponding period.
Several conditions are considered before declaring the withdrawal of the monsoon, including four to five consecutive days without rainfall over the region, a fall in humidity and the development of an anticyclonic movement over the area, according to weather officials.
Last year, monsoon withdrawal was declared on September 24, the earliest in the past 24 years. The maximum temperature remained unchanged at 35°C on Saturday and Sunday, 2°C above normal. The minimum temperature rose from 20.9°C on Saturday to 23.4°C on Sunday, remaining 1°C below normal.
A western disturbance (WD) was active over the region last week, but it did not bring significant rainfall to the city. With rain now unlikely and clear skies expected to continue, monsoon withdrawal is considered imminent. If the current conditions persist, parts of this region will experience withdrawal within the next two or three days. Meanwhile, clear skies are expected to persist through the week, which can lead to a rise in temperature. The rise is unlikely to be too steep as September nears its end.
IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said, “Clear skies are likely to continue and we can expect monsoon withdrawal from the region this week.
