New Delhi, Sep 18 - India has recorded a monsoon deficit of 21 percent this year and the southwest monsoon is likely to withdraw from the northern region in the next few days, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Friday.

'The cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole is now 21 percent below the average,' the Met Department said in a release.

'Out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions, the cumulative seasonal rainfall was excess in two, normal in 11 and deficient in 23 subdivisions. Considering district-wise rainfall, during the period of June 1 to Sep 16, the rainfall was excess in eight percent, normal in 35, deficient in 50 and scanty in seven percent of the total districts of the country,' it added.

The IMD also said that the southwest monsoon is likely to withdraw from western Rajasthan towards the second half of this week.

'Fairly widespread rainfall activity is likely over northeast and south peninsular India during the week. Scattered rainfall activity is expected over Gangetic plains, West Bengal and coastal Orissa. Subdued rainfall activity is likely over central and northwest India,' it added.