Monsoon season ends with 12% deficit

This makes the season the worst in five years

The country's June-September monsoon season ended with 12% below average rainfall, the weather office said on Tuesday, making the season the worst in five years.

A shaky start of the season in June led to a 43% shortfall in rains in the first month, but the deficit shrank in the subsequent months.

Monsoon rains are vital because the farm sector accounts for 14% of the national economy and half of India's farmland lacks irrigation.