Monsoon rainfall has deteriorated in July, falling 16% below average this month after being patchy and erratic in the first four weeks of the season, which has delayed crop planting significantly and raised concerns about agricultural output. Total rainfall shortfall since June 1 has widened to 8% after being 5% lower than average at the end of June. As a result, planting of rice, the season’s main crop, is already 15% lower while the area under pulses is 19% lower than the acreage this time last year.