No more rain in Delhi: Monsoon withdrawal confirmed after 16% surplus downpour

Delhi’s monsoon has officially packed up and left, but not before bestowing the capital with above-normal rains.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday, September 23, confirmed the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from Delhi.

The retreat came two days before its normal withdrawal date of September 25, even as the capital has recorded 728.6 mm of rainfall since June 1, marking a 16% increase from its normal rainfall of 629.7 mm.

This makes Delhi’s 2026 monsoon an unusual one; it arrived late, left early, but still delivered surplus rain. Commuters walk on a road amid heavy rain, in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI)

The southwest monsoon reached Delhi on July 2 this year, five days later than its normal arrival date of June 27. And now, it has withdrawn two days earlier than normal.

That meant the monsoon officially lasted 83 days in Delhi; the lowest since 2012, when the capital saw a mere 80 days of rainy season.

The IMD’s historical table shows that this is shorter than the 87-day season recorded in 2025 and considerably shorter than several recent years, including 96 days in 2015 and 97 days in 2019.

Yet the monsoon picture is more nuanced than what the data says. Fruit vendors cover themselves with plastic sheets as attend to customers amid rain in New Delhi. (Photo: PTI) From June 1 to September 23, Safdarjung weather observatory recorded 728.6 mm, compared with the normal 629.7 mm.

That is a surplus of about 99 mm, or 16%.

The IMD, however, still classifies this as “normal” rainfall because its normal category extends from 19% below to 19% above the long-period average.SURPLUS BUT INCONSISTENT RAIN

Monsoon withdrawal, however, is not decided simply by looking at the season’s rainfall total.

The IMD considers a sustained cessation of rainfall, a reduction in atmospheric moisture and changes in the lower-level circulation before declaring withdrawal.

So, Wednesday’s announcement does not mean Delhi is guaranteed to remain completely dry. An image illustrating the monsoon withdrawal. (Photo: IMD)

Weather systems can still produce isolated rain or thunderstorms after the southwest monsoon has withdrawn.

What's more clear is that the city’s main summer monsoon phase is now over.

Delhi’s 2026 monsoon story remains an anomaly, especially during a monsoon season where El Nino has weakened India's rainy season, making numerous parts of the country reel with rain deficits.

Delhi, on the other hand, entered the monsoon season late and left it early, and it still finished with a rainfall surplus.- EndsPublished By: Aryan Published On: Sep 23, 2026 16:39 IST