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Developing
India

In pictures: a monsoon that arrived late and stayed long

From flooded bus stops to brimming reservoirs and paddy fields, eight scenes from a rainy season that changed plans across the country.

By Pulse Desk

NEW DELHI · · 1 min read

  1. Illustration of heavy rain over a city skyline with umbrellas
    Commuters with umbrellas wait for a bus as an evening downpour sweeps across the city. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  2. Illustration of a reservoir and a water drop
    A village reservoir fills to the brim for the first time in four years. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  3. Illustration of a tractor in green fields
    Farmers transplant paddy seedlings in fields soaked by a week of rain. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  4. Illustration of a highway through green hills
    A highway stretch glistens after the clouds lift in the hills. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  5. Illustration of a city skyline on a clear day
    Clear skies return over the skyline the morning after a heavy spell. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  6. Illustration of a forest with birds overhead
    Birds return to a wetland on the edge of town as water levels rise. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  7. Illustration of a train approaching on railway tracks
    A passenger train crawls through rain-washed countryside. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)
  8. Illustration of market stalls with fruit and vegetables
    Vegetable sellers cover their stalls as another shower begins. Photo: Illustration: Palmline News (synthetic)

This year's monsoon kept everyone guessing. It arrived late in many regions, paused for weeks in others, and then returned with heavy spells well into the autumn.

For farmers, the late rains brought relief to reservoirs and a second chance for sowing. For cities, they brought flooded underpasses, cancelled classes and long evenings at bus stops. Our photographers followed the season from village ponds to city skylines.

Scroll through the gallery for eight moments from the rains. To understand what the end of the season means, read our explainer on monsoon withdrawal.

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