New Delhi: Monsoon rains were 6% above average in the past week, the weather office said on Thursday, the first time they have been heavier than average in the current rainy season that began in June, in what is turning out to be a drought year.

The crucial monsoon rains, vital for the 55% of Indian farmland without irrigation, are 12% short of average so far and threaten cereal and pulses production as drought continues in some areas of west and south India.

In the previous week, rainfall was 2% below average, which is still within a normal range, as the monsoon revived in rice, cane and soybean growing areas of the world’s leading food consumer and producer. Rains below 90%of long-term averages are considered deficient. India last faced drought in 2009 when the June-to-Sept monsoon rains were 22% below average and it had to import sugar, pushing global prices to 30-year highs.