India: Monsoon Ends with Record Rains in September

Excess rains in September helped offset delayed, erratic monsoon rains of the previous months. The monsoon came to an end with an extended withdrawal in early October. Cumulatively, Southwest Monsoon rainfall was 99 percent of its long period average. Heavy rains in September coupled with improved reservoir storage have increased prospects for higher rabi crop yields. The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast normal rains during the Northeast Monsoon in southern India.