Monsoon may be the worst since 1972

8220;We expect at least 4-5 percent improvement in the seasonal rainfall deficit for the entire season from the current level,8221; Ajit Tyagi,director general of the India Meteorological Department,told Reuters on Friday.

India last suffered a monsoon failure in 2002,when rainfall was 19.2 percent below average through the season,and July rains were 54.2 percent below normal. India8217;s crop output in 2002/03 fell 18 percent.

This year,June rainfall was the worst in over 80 years,while July saw a 5 percent deficit. August began with an exceptionally dry two weeks,followed by near-normal rains in the later part of the month.

From the start of June to Aug. 26,rains were 25 percent below normal,data showed on Thursday.

8220;In 2002,the seasonal rainfall deficit was 19 percent. The only difference is that this year8217;s July rainfall was relatively better than 2002,8221; Tyagi said.