New Delhi, Sep 25 - India's monsoon deficit has increased to 22 percent this year and the southwest monsoon has started withdrawing from the northern region, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Friday.

'The cumulative seasonal rainfall for the country as a whole is now 22 percent below the Long Period Average (LPA),' a release from the IMD said.

The deficit was 21 percent in the week ended Sep 17.

According to IMD, out of 36 meteorological sub-divisions, the cumulative seasonal rainfall from June 1 to Sep 23 was excess in two, normal in 12 and deficient in 22 sub-divisions.

'The southwest monsoon has withdrawn from many parts of Rajasthan Friday and is likely to withdraw from some more parts of northwest India, including Delhi, during the next three to four days,' it said.

Fairly widespread showers are expected over Orissa and Andhra Pradesh and subsequently, the rainfall is likely to shift to Maharashtra and Goa, the IMD said.