India's monsoon rains 14% below average this week: Weather Office
Date:08-29-2019
Monsoon rains in India were below average for the first time in five weeks in the week through Wednesday, the weather office said, as the rice-growing north-western parts of the country received lower rainfall.
Monsoon rains are crucial to farm output and economic growth as the agricultural sector accounts for about 15% of India's $2.5 trillion economy.
India received 14% less rainfall than the 50-year average in the week to Aug. 28, data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed, with rice-growing north-west India receiving 36% less rain.
Overall, India has received 1% more rain than average since the start of the monsoon season on June 1.
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