India weather transition: Monsoon withdrawal and unseasonal mountain snowfall

India is experiencing a seasonal transition as the southwest monsoon begins its withdrawal from parts of northwest India, specifically West Rajasthan. This year's monsoon has been noted as the weakest in 17 years, with cumulative rainfall approximately 15 per cent below the Long Period Average. The deficit is widespread, with the southern peninsula reporting a 28 per cent deficiency.

Simultaneously, unseasonal snowfall has been recorded in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Notable locations such as the Gulmarg ski resort, Hemkund Sahib, and Rohtang Pass have received their first fresh snow of the season. This early snowfall in the mountains is expected to bring a winter chill to the plains, potentially signaling an early onset of the cold season.

While the monsoon is retreating in the northwest, rainfall and thunderstorms are still expected in various regions, including central, eastern, and southern India. In Himachal Pradesh, the monsoon season has already caused significant damage, with reported losses of approximately 3,213 crore and 325 deaths recorded between June and September.