Monsoon rains likely below prior forecast: IMD chief

Says it could start retreating this week

India's June-September monsoon rains are likely to be below the prior forecast of 88 percent of the long-term average, the weather office chief said, which could make it the driest year since 2009 and reduce farm output.

Laxman Singh Rathore, director general of India Meteorological Department (IMD), told Reuters that the monsoon could start retreating this week.

"In my opinion, overall monsoon rains will fall a notch or two below the 88 percent forecast that came out in June," Rathore said on Wednesday.