India’s monsoon weakens, IMD predicts below-normal rain for next two weeks

India’s monsoon is weakening at a point in the season when it should be at its most productive. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said below-normal rainfall is expected across the country for at least the next two weeks — through September 2 — and the all-India deficit, already at 14% below the long-period average as of Saturday, will grow further as the monsoon trough stays pinned to the Himalayan foothills rather than sweeping across central India.The prediction was part of IMD’s extended range forecast dated August 20 and it now adds to growing worry over this year’s winter crop that has been sown over recent weeks.Despite some weather systems developing, rainfall is expected to remain below normal across the country in both weeks of the forecast window, the agency said.Also Read | Vast swathes of farmlands still short of rain despite late spellsHeavy to very heavy rain is more likely…