Record delay in withdrawal of monsoon from far west Rajasthan

New Delhi, Oct 7 (UNI) The unusual delay in the withdrawal of monsoon from extreme west Rajasthan this time broke the record of the past 40 years.

According to the IMD's latest Report, the southwest monsoon withdrew from western parts of Rajasthan and some parts of Punjab and Haryana on September 30. The normal date of withdrawal is September 15.

The delay was due to the prevalence of cyclonic circulations, availability of moisture and sporadic rainfall over the region.

During 1960-2006, the most delayed date of monsoon withdrawal from west Rajasthan was September 28, which occurred in 1964 and 1970.

In 1990, the withdrawal started as late as September 27, says the IMD's Southwest Monsoon 2007 End of the Season Report.

The Report says the seasonal rainfall from June 1 to September 30 was deficient in 144 of the 513 meteorological districts.

Of these, 77 districts (15 per cent) experienced moderate drought conditions (rainfall 26-50 per cent below the long period average), while 30 districts (6 per cent) experienced severe drought conditions (rainfall deficiency 51 per cent and more).

These 77 districts fall under the sub-divisions of west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and east Madhya Pradesh.

UNI