30% less rains in first week of monsoon season

India received 30 per cent less rains in the first week of June since the onset of south-west monsoon on Tuesday, the weather office said on Thursday.

The country received 14 mm rainfall from June 1-6 as against 19.9 mm, the average rainfall considered as normal for the period, the India Meteorological Department said in New Delhi.

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The annual seasonal rains reached Kerala on Tuesday, four days later than normal, the IMD said.

As per IMD data, four out of the 36 sub divisions received excess rains. Kerala, where monsoon is considered to be bountiful during the onset phase, received deficient rains, the data showed.

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Weather scientists had said that monsoon had begun on a dull note this season with regions along the western coast getting rains and the peninsular region remaining relatively dry.

The regions of the south peninsula - coastal Andhra, Telangana, Rayalseema, Tamil Nadu, coastal Karnataka, north interior Karnataka, south interior Karnataka and Kerala - have recorded either deficient or scanty rainfall.

Besides Lakshadweep, excess rainfall has been recorded in the entire North East.

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Monsoon rains are crucial for agriculture as only 40 per cent of the cultivable area is under irrigation.

The farm sector contributes about only 15 per cent to the country's Gross Domestic Product, but it employs about 60 per cent of India's population.

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On the back of good monsoon in 2010 and 2011, the country harvested a record foodgrains production of 245 million tones and 252.56 million tonnes, respectively.