The Punjab monsoon withdrawal has stalled after retreating from southwestern Punjab and Haryana on September 15. Since then, the line of withdrawal has not moved. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on September 21 that it passes through Bathinda, Fatehabad, Pilani, Ajmer, Deesa, and Bhuj.
Normally, half of Punjab should have seen monsoon withdrawal by September 20, with complete withdrawal from Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh expected by September 25. Punjab experienced light to moderate rain with thunder in isolated areas over the past 24 hours. The weather is expected to remain dry until September 27. Some parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand may see light rain.
IMD said the monsoon could withdraw from more areas in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir over the next two days. Experts say a western disturbance at 5.8 km altitude and a cyclonic circulation at 1.5 km over northwest Uttar Pradesh keep humidity high. These conditions delay the dry, high-pressure system needed for withdrawal.
Punjab received 621.7 mm of rain from June 1 to September 21, a 48% surplus over the 439.2 mm average. Himachal Pradesh and Haryana recorded surpluses of 45% and 38%, respectively. Last year, Punjab completed monsoon withdrawal by October 2, about a week late.
