Now Reading: Monsoon withdrawal from Maharashtra likely in 24 to 48 hours, says IMD
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Monsoon withdrawal from Maharashtra likely in 24 to 48 hours, says IMD
The southwest monsoon is expected to start withdrawing from Maharashtra over the next 24 to 48 hours, as rainfall remains subdued and dry air enters the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Thursday (1 October 2026). The timing is close to Maharashtra's normal withdrawal date of around 4 to 5 October, while Pune could see an early exit before its normal date of 9 October.
IMD scientist SD Sanap said two key criteria must be met for withdrawal: no rainfall for consecutive days and a weakening or reversal of southwesterly monsoon winds. An anticyclonic circulation over Rajasthan is pushing dry air into Maharashtra, keeping most of the state dry. The IMD's Pune forecast indicates a largely dry spell with only a low chance of light rain.
Independent weather expert Abhijit Modak said Maharashtra's prolonged dry spell in August and September was due to Bay of Bengal systems failing to maintain a westward track, reducing moisture transport into the state.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The IMD's forecast points to a normal monsoon withdrawal for Maharashtra, but Pune may see an early exit. The dry spell, driven by an anticyclonic circulation over Rajasthan, suggests no rainfall revival in the near term. Greater clarity on the exact withdrawal timeline will emerge as the state approaches the 9 to 10 October window. The underlying cause, as noted by an independent expert, was a failure of successive weather systems to sustain westward moisture transport into Maharashtra.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
