According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), despite the initial withdrawal from west Rajasthan, an incoming Low-Pressure System (LPS) might delay the monsoon's exit from certain areas in the north and northwest regions of India.

Overall sowing of kharif crops such as paddy, pulses, oilseeds, coarse cereals and sugarcane have been up 1.5% on year at 110.46 million hectare (MH) so far.

The southwest monsoon is beginning to retreat after providing above-average rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Conditions are favourable for a further retreat of the southwest monsoon from some other parts of West Rajasthan and adjoining areas of Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat during next 24 hours, the IMD said

India's monsoon rains started retreating from the northwest of the country on Monday, nearly a week later than normal, the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement.

The southwest monsoon has withdrawn from some parts of West Rajasthan and Kachchh against the normal date of September 17, informed the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday.

India had received a cumulative rainfall surplus of 5 per cent, with nearly all regions reporting above-average precipitation. But rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon has fallen short of the long period average (LPA) in eastern and northeastern states,

The southwest monsoon generally kicks off in June and starts to retreat by September 17. However, the rains continued this year, which helped to replenish reservoirs but damaged the harvesting of some crops.

The Southwest Monsoon arrived in Gujarat on June 11, four days ahead of the schedule. “Conditions are becoming favourable for the withdrawal of Southwest Monsoon from parts of West Rajasthan and Kutch around September 23,

The IMD predicts that widespread rainfall will continue over parts of Gujarat and western India throughout the week, which could delay the withdrawal in those areas