Mumbai Monsoon Withdraws Five Days Early, Second Earliest in 25 Years
• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) announced the withdrawal of the southwest monsoon from Mumbai on 3 October 2026, five days earlier than the city's normal withdrawal date of 8 October.
• This marks the second earliest monsoon withdrawal in the past 25 years, with the earliest recorded in 2002 on 30 September.
Impact & Risks
The early withdrawal of the monsoon and below-normal rainfall in several regions, including Marathwada and Vidarbha, could exacerbate water scarcity and impact agricultural activities. The IMD attributes the rainfall deficit to El Niño conditions, which have influenced the monsoon's performance. With the monsoon's withdrawal, temperatures in Mumbai are expected to rise, leading to 'October heat'. On 3 October, the Colaba observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4°C, 5.6°C above normal, while the Santacruz observatory recorded 36.9°C, 4.6°C above normal.
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