Monsoon-rains in the country were 20% below average in the week-ending, as rainfall was scanty over the central, western and southern-parts, the IMD said, raising concerns over the output of summer-sown crops. Monsoon rains are crucial for farm output and economic-growth, as about 55% of India's arable land is rain-fed, and agriculture forms about 15% of a $2.5-trillion-economy that is the third-biggest in Asia.

Mumbai, which has been pounded by incessant-rainfall has recorded the second-highest-rainfall in the last 45-years causing accidents that claimed the lives of 18-people in a wall-collapse in Malad in the city with several-areas of the city waterlogged and throwing traffic out of gear. More rain is predicted between July-3 and 5 with close to 200-mm or more rain expected/day, according to the IMD.

The national capital witnessed a heavy spell of winter rains on Tuesday. As many as 15 trains are running late due to foggy weather conditions and low visibility. The rains led to the death of two workers. The incident took place on Monday after the wall of a warehouse collapsed on them apparently due to rain in Delhi's Najafgarh, the Delhi Fire Service(DFS) said.