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India Gets Rainfall 20% Below Average in Latest Week -Weather Office

Reuters

   MUMBAI - India's monsoon rains were 20% below average in the week
   ending on Wednesday, as rainfall was scanty over the central, western
   and southern parts of the country, the weather office said, raising
   concerns over the output of summer-sown crops.

   Monsoon rains are crucial for farm output and economic growth, as about
   55% of India's arable land is rain-fed, and agriculture forms about 15%
   of a $2.5 trillion economy that is the third biggest in Asia.

   Soybean- and cotton-growing central regions received 68% less rainfall
   in the week, while the rubber- and tea-growing southern state of Kerala
   received 71% lower rainfall, data from the India Meteorological
   Department (IMD) showed.

   Overall, India has received rains that were 16% less than average since
   the monsoon season began on June 1.