By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The southwest monsoon has begun its withdrawal from northwest India, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) saying the rainy season has receded from some parts of West Rajasthan, signalling a gradual decline in monsoon activity over the region.
The monsoon withdrew from parts of West Rajasthan on September 19, with conditions now favourable for its further withdrawal from more parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Saurashtra & Kutch over the next three to four days, the IMD said.
The development marks the beginning of the seasonal transition in northern India, although rainfall is not expected to end immediately across the region. The IMD’s withdrawal process is gradual and takes place in different parts of the country at different times.
At the same time, a fresh weather system developing over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining areas is expected to become more organised. The IMD said a low-pressure area was likely to form on September 19 and intensify into a depression over the eastcentral Bay of Bengal on September 21 and a deep depression over the westcentral Bay of Bengal on September 22.
The system is expected to influence weather over parts of eastern and central India in the coming days, meaning the retreat of the monsoon from the northwest will coincide with continued rainfall activity elsewhere.
The withdrawal from West Rajasthan is close to the normal date of September 17, according to the IMD.