India's monsoon rains started retreating from the northwest of the country on Monday, nearly a week later than normal, the state-run India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in a statement.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), despite the initial withdrawal from west Rajasthan, an incoming Low-Pressure System (LPS) might delay the monsoon's exit from certain areas in the north and northwest regions of India.

The southwest monsoon generally kicks off in June and starts to retreat by September 17. However, the rains continued this year, which helped to replenish reservoirs but damaged the harvesting of some crops.

IMD announces southwest monsoon withdrawal from parts of west Rajasthan and Gujarat, setting stage for rabi crop sowing.

India had received a cumulative rainfall surplus of 5 per cent, with nearly all regions reporting above-average precipitation. But rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon has fallen short of the long period average (LPA) in eastern and northeastern states,