The southwest monsoon was 12 per cent in deficit in August after heavy rainfall in the first two months of the season but total rainfall since June 1 remains within the normal range. 

August rainfall was 228.8 mm, which is about 12 per cent below the normal level of 261.3 mm in August. Weather forecasters said that the monsoon has regained momentum. 

"Just last week, there was a 20 per cent deficit in normal rainfall this month. Now it has come to 12 per cent (deficit). So we can say that the rainfall activity is improving," an official at the India Meteorology Department said. 
"There will be a slight weakening of monsoon showers in Central India, but it will improve over northeast India and the south peninsular region over the next few days," the official added. 
The weather office is positive of a better September, which is the last month of the monsoon season in the country. In the past few days, heavy monsoon showers lashed parts of peninsular India while torrential rain brought Mumbai to a standstill. Gujarat also received heavy showers, while many areas in Bihar were flooded. Analysts said the area under cultivation, which is slightly lower than last year, was not encouraging. 

"The final agricultural output figures will largely be dictated by this," said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist at CARE Ratings.