India, Sept. 28 -- The withdrawal is 28 days last this time, compared to 40 days last year

The withdrawal of the southwest monsoon has started from some parts of northwest India (western Rajasthan and Punjab) on September 28, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said.

The monsoon is expected to further withdraw from other parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and some parts of Haryana, Delhi, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in the next two-three days.

This means that the withdrawal has been delayed by 28 days as the normal date for the start of withdrawal is September 1.

The monsoon's withdrawal last year had started 40 days late, on October 10. But then, the rains vanished from the subcontinent in just six days. It remains...