NEW DELHI: Monsoon rains in India were 18 percent below average in the week to June 8, the weather office said on Thursday, as the onset of rainfall was delayed by nearly a week from its usual arrival on June 1.

Monsoon rains arrived at India's southern Kerala coast on June 8, easing fears of declining farm and economic growth after two straight droughts hit rural income and agricultural output.

Copyright Reuters, 2016