Maharashtra Sees Earliest Monsoon Withdrawal Since 2018

The southwest monsoon has officially started its withdrawal from Maharashtra on October 3, 2026, impacting areas including Pune and Mumbai. This marks the earliest retreat of the monsoon since 2018, when the process began on October 1. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed that the withdrawal was prompted by a significant decrease in rainfall, cloud cover, and humidity over the last few days, coupled with the absence of the southwest monsoon flow and the presence of dry northerly winds. These atmospheric changes are associated with an anticyclonic circulation over northern Gujarat and adjacent southwestern Rajasthan.

The IMD reported that the southwest monsoon has receded from various regions, including northern India, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra. The withdrawal line is currently situated at coordinates 27.5°N/86.5°E, passing through Supaul, Ranchi, Raipur, Brahmapuri, Parbhani, Baramati, Harnai, and 17.5°N/71.8°E. As a result, the monsoon has effectively withdrawn from Pune city, significant portions of Pune district, Mumbai, and the coastal areas, as noted by IMD scientist S. D. Sanap.

Typically, monsoon withdrawal in Maharashtra begins around October 5, initially affecting northern Madhya Maharashtra and the northern Konkan region, progressing to cover most areas by October 10. However, with the withdrawal occurring on October 3 this year, it is nearly a week earlier than usual. Sanap highlighted that the region has not experienced rainfall for the past three to four days, indicating that the monsoonal winds have already dissipated. He stated, "There is no southwesterly monsoonal flow over the region, including the Arabian Sea or the Bay of Bengal."

According to the IMD's withdrawal map, the standard dates for monsoon withdrawal in Mumbai and Pune are around October 8 and 9, respectively. The early withdrawal is expected to pave the way for further retreat across Marathwada, Vidarbha, and parts of Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and northern interior Karnataka in the coming days. The complete withdrawal from the rest of Maharashtra will depend on future atmospheric conditions, as indicated by Sanap.

This early retreat follows a delayed onset of the 2026 southwest monsoon in north Konkan, which arrived on June 23, approximately 12 days later than the typical start date. Weather expert Abhijit Modak noted that this year has seen an unusual pattern with a late monsoon onset followed by an early withdrawal, effectively shortening the southwest monsoon period in Konkan. He remarked that the early onset of October heat has also arrived about a week ahead of its usual timing.