That makes this the first back-to-back drought in three decades, and only the fourth in more than a century. The scant rains have hit the yields of summer-sown crops, especially in the south of the country.
Laxman Singh Rathore, director general of India Meteorological
Department (IMD), said the monsoon could start retreating this week.
"Until now, July has witnessed minus 17 per cent of rainfall," India
Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Laxman Singh Rathore
said.
Although rainfall in the first half of June was above
normal, the 2015 forecast is sending some distress signals across due to the
monsoon's impact on the economy.
A strengthening El Nino weather pattern trimmed rainfall raising fears of the first drought in six years.
Weather forecasters are not convinced and have warned of severe dryness in the autumn months.
As per experts, a surprise rise in IIP and steady inflation data will, however, help the market.
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