Chandigarh, September 25: Chandigarh witnessed its earliest monsoon withdrawal in 24 years as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday declared the season officially over. The monsoon retreated from the city on September 24, a day after this year’s normal withdrawal date of September 23. The last time the rains withdrew earlier was in 2001, when the exit came on September 18.
IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul said changing weather dynamics have altered the rainfall cycle in recent years. “We have observed a trend where the monsoon’s arrival has been delayed and its stay has continued for a longer time. This year, the second half of the monsoon was also quite active, further intensified by active Western Disturbances in the region,” he noted. Paul added that an anticyclonic circulation has now formed, cutting off moisture supply and keeping rain away for the coming days.
The official end to the season came with the city recording 1,071.2 mm of rain between June and September at IMD’s Sector 39 observatory — 26% higher than the normal of 845.7 mm. This marks the wettest monsoon in the city since 2023, when a record 1,134.6 mm was logged, boosted by July’s historic downpour.
Monthly figures show consistent rainfall across the season: 262.1 mm in June, 211.8 mm in July, 321.4 mm in August, and 275.9 mm in September until the withdrawal. Unlike typical years, September remained unusually wet, with multiple spells linked to Western Disturbances colliding with the monsoon system. “Usually rain reduces after August, but the city saw significant showers through September as well. At least two such instances led to heavy spells late in the season,” Paul said.
The total rainfall figure of 1,071.2 mm is expected to remain unchanged through the month’s end, with IMD ruling out further showers. A final monsoon report will be issued later, incorporating data from the Chandigarh airport observatory as well.
With skies clearing after the retreat, temperatures have started climbing. The city’s maximum rose to 35.3°C on Wednesday, slightly above Tuesday’s 35.1°C and 3.4 degrees higher than normal. This is the highest recorded so far in September, and IMD officials said the mercury could reach 37°C before the city moves into autumn next month.
The minimum temperature dropped from 24.8°C on Tuesday to 24.2°C, still 1 degree above normal. Over the next three days, maximum temperatures are expected to stay between 35°C and 37°C, while minimums will hover around 25°C.
