PUNE: The southwest monsoon began withdrawing from Maharashtra on October 3, with the withdrawal line reaching Pune, marking the city’s earliest monsoon retreat since 2014. The withdrawal comes without a significant final spell of rainfall, leaving the state with a 17% rainfall deficit at the end of the four-month monsoon season.
The southwest monsoon began withdrawing from India on September 19 and reached Gujarat on September 23, after which the process remained largely stalled until October 2. Withdrawal resumed on October 3, advancing significantly across central India. The monsoon withdrew from the remaining parts of north India, the whole of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra on October 3, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Pune city on Saturday recorded a maximum temperature of 34.8°C, 3.5°C above normal, and a minimum of 21.1°C. At Lohegaon, the maximum temperature was 35.4°C, 4.1°C above normal. Maharashtra is expected to remain largely dry over the next few days. The monsoon has completely withdrawn from Mumbai and Raigad, while its withdrawal from Pune is currently partial.
The IMD said conditions are favourable for further withdrawal from Maharashtra, with rainfall activity weakening and dry conditions setting in across several parts of the state.
