Less rains likely in August-September: IMD

New Delhi, Aug 2 (IANS) With rain deficits reported in major parts of the country, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Thursday said the country is likely to receive less rains in next two months (August-September) of the monsoon season.

Updating its forecast, the IMD said: "Rainfall over the country as a whole for the second half (August-September) of the 2012 southwest monsoon season is likely to be below normal."

The IMD said that based on the rainfall distribution over the country till date and outlook for the second half of the season, the seasonal rainfall of the entire southwest monsoon season (June to September) is likely to be deficient.

The weather department had earlier announced a normal monsoon.

Of the four regions, worst affected are the northwest states of Haryana, Punjab among others, which are known as the grain bowl of the country.

The government has already announced a contingency plans to deal with deficit rains in several states across India.