Monsoon withdraws after inflicting heavy damage

The monsoon withdrew completely from the state today, a day after the normal date of return. The state received a precipitation of 1,022 mm this monsoon, 40 per cent more than normal. Also, the rainfall received this monsoon was the highest since 1995 when the state had received 1,029 mm of rain. The region had received the highest rainfall of 1,314 mm in 1922.

The southwest monsoon had entered the state on June 20 and covered the entire state by June 24, a day earlier than the normal date of June 25. Starting from September 24, the complete withdrawal was recorded today.

The monsoon has withdrawn from the state in September for the first time in the past five years. From 2021 to 2024, the monsoon withdrew in the first or second week of October. Heavy rain during this monsoon season triggered extreme-weather events like cloudbursts, flashfloods and landslides frequently across the state, resulting in a massive loss of human life and damage to both public and private property.

As per initial estimates, the state has suffered a loss of nearly Rs 5,000 crore. As per the State Disaster Management authority, the state endured 47 cloudbursts, 98 flashfloods and 148 landslides since the monsoon entered the state.