Mumbai, Sept. 11 -- Rainfall is expected to remain widespread across central, eastern and western parts of India over the next week, while northwest India is likely to see mostly isolated to scattered showers, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

The forecast comes as the country's cumulative rainfall for the monsoon season remains 15% below normal. India received 650.5 mm of rainfall between 1 June and 10 September, against the normal 766.5 mm, according to the IMD. The southwest monsoon is critical to India's water security and agricultural economy, accounting for around 70% of the country's annual rainfall.

Central India is expected to remain one of the more active rainfall zones. East and west Madhya Pradesh and Vidarbha ...