The southwest monsoon is set to withdraw from northern and some western parts of the country in the next 48 hours after bringing adequate rainfall since August. According to data released by the Indian Meteorological Department, IMD for this season, the country's, rainfall is just five per cent less than normal till now as against 31 per cent deficiency in June. It said that conditions have become favourable for withdrawal of southwest monsoon from parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Saurashtra and Kutch during next 48 hours.

Satellite imagery and the observations indicate reduction in moisture over parts of northwest India. Ample rains in August and the first half of September have helped dispel fears of a widespread drought, which seemed imminent after deficient rains in June and July. The country as a whole has so far received 798.3 millimeter rainfall between June 1 to 21st of September as against the normal of 843.1 millimeter for the period.