Deficient monsoon rains in southern and central India so far are likely to hit paddy crop. Monsoon rains are weak in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and most of southern states. Paddy crop is at grain-filling stage and requires more water for optimum yields. The size of the grain would be smaller and the plant would shrivel if rains do not occur in time, adding that smaller size of grain and unhealthy plant may hit the overall productivity. The situation is worsening in Karnataka which is facing scanty rains for the third year in a row. In the last two years, the southern state was declared drought-hit. Plants have already started withering in some parts of Karnataka.