Monsoon rains 2% below average in past week

In the previous week, the shortfall was at the same level with the drought still affecting western oilseeds and cotton growing areas of the country.

The crucial monsoon rains, vital for 55% of India's farmland which doesn't have irrigation, is 14% short of average so far and threatens cereal and pulses production.

Rains below 90% of long-term averages in the entire season are considered "deficient," or a drought in layman's terms.

India, whose huge land mass contains nearly all climates and soil types, last faced widespread drought in 2009 when the June-to-September monsoon rains were 22% below average and it had to import sugar, pushing global prices to 30-year highs.