Monsoon rains 22% below average in past week

[epicresearch]

India's monsoon rains retreated to below average levels in the past week, the weather office said on Thursday, after scraping above average the previous week for the first time in this rainy season, keeping overall rainfall under par.

Monsoon rains were 22% below average in the week to July 18 against one percent above average rains in the previous week, reflecting the return of a weak phase after a revival in the first half of July, a crucial month for summer planting.

Total rainfall from June 1 to July 18 was 22% below average, heightening concerns this year could suffer a drought instead of average rains expected by the government, and keeping sowing of pulses and rice behind schedule.