Monsoon rains in India, the world's second-biggest producer of rice and sugar, could fall below average this year, in the absence of the La Nina weather pattern, two senior officials at the state-run weather department said on Wednesday.

Rainfall in September could be up to 15 % less than average, said two officials from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), who could not be identified because they are not authorized to speak to the media.

This year's below average rains, after two straight years of drought, could cut yields of summer-sown crops that are currently ripening for harvesting and also hit the planting of winter-sown crops like wheat and chickpeas.

Last month, the IMD forecast above average monsoon rains, crucial for watering nearly half of the country's farmlands that lack irrigation facilities.

For More Information Free Stock Tips, Mcx Tips, Commodity Market Tips, Intraday Trading Tips, Free Equity Tips on Mobile and you can call us on :-9827808090.