Following an incredibly dry start to the summer in some Indian regions, monsoon rains are steadily increasing, having moved towards average levels over August. The rain deficit has fallen 16 per cent, with 532.4mm falling in the past month, compared to an average of 630.4mm.

Although North-West India is still facing a deficit of 25 per cent, it is thought the increased rainfall will be enough to reverse most of the damage to crops and delayed plantings reported as a result of dry summer weather. However, some coarse cereals have been irreversibly affected by drought.

Elsewhere, the deficit is much less, with rainfall levels ranging from 10 per cent below par in the North-East to 18 per cent in the South. Wetter weather is expected to persist throughout August and into September, Indian meteorologists have said, continuing to close the gap in rainfall.  

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