IMD confirms southwest monsoon withdrawal as northeast monsoon sets in

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced on Thursday, 15 October 2026, that the southwest monsoon has completely withdrawn from the entire country, hitting its normal long-period schedule and handing over seamlessly to the northeast monsoon across southern India.

The swift transition underpins national water security and agricultural planning as farmers move into the rabi crop season. Showers from the northeast monsoon have already established over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, Kerala, and Mahe. IMD forecasts indicate a sustained wet spell with isolated heavy rainfall across parts of the southern peninsula through 21 October.

According to official data from the IMD, the southwest monsoon concluded with 759.4 mm of cumulative rainfall across the country, compared to the long-period average normal of 868.6 mm. Robust water management strategies and early agricultural advisory measures helped streamline crop planning nationwide during the season, mitigating the impact of global El Nino patterns over the Pacific Ocean.

Southwest monsoon withdrawal dates by year

The exact alignment of this year's withdrawal date with the standard 15 October milestone reflects the reliability of India's meteorological tracking network. Regional weather dynamics, including an upper air cyclonic circulation over south coastal Tamil Nadu and established lower-tropospheric easterly winds, are driving the current southern rainfall.

Separate, brief showers recorded across parts of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi were prompted by a western disturbance combined with local cyclonic circulations. Forecasters expect clear weather to return rapidly across northern India, providing optimal conditions for seasonal farming activities.