India stares at drought amid poor monsoon

Many states across the country are now reporting deficient rainfall this year, and the government might have to announce a drought within a fortnight.

Monsoon rain, the lifeline of Indian agriculture, has been deficient by a worrying 22 per cent so far this year; the situation is critical in Karnataka and central Maharashtra. The Met department's forecast holds out no great hope either. Average rain for the season has been pegged at 96 percent of the long-term average. Rain less than 90 percent of the long term average would be a drought situation - last seen in 2009, when India had to import sugar, pushing global prices to 30-year highs.