Monsoon starts withdrawing from northwest region

The annual monsoon has started withdrawing from the country's northwest region, weather officials said on Tuesday, marking the beginning of the retreat after a fortnight's delay.

The withdrawal has been delayed due to a late revival of rains this month, causing floods in some parts of the region.

Usually, the season starts to diminish in early September, and withdraws completely from northwest India by the middle of the month.

Monsoon rains are vital because more than half of country's farmland lacks irrigation, and the farm sector accounts for 14 per cent of the national economy.

(Reuters)