New Delhi, Aug. 31 -- As the southwest monsoon enters its final leg, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast below-normal rainfall in September, raising concerns over kharif crop yields, food inflation and rural demand.

India is likely to receive less than 91% of its long-period average (LPA) rainfall in September, the IMD said on Monday. The September LPA, based on the 1971-2020 climatological record, is 167.9 mm.

Many parts of the country are likely to receive below-normal rainfall during the month. However, parts of northwest, northeast, east, east-central and southeast peninsular India are likely to receive normal to above-normal rainfall, the weather office said.

Rainfall was 35.4% below normal in June, 1% above nor...