India's monsoon rains were 14 percent above normal in the week to Aug 11, improving sharply from 22 percent below average the previous week, the weather office said on Thursday, boosting the produc

India's annual monsoon rains have hit the southern state of Kerala two days earlier than expected, weather officials said on Sunday, boosting prospects for a harvest that could spur Asia's third-largest economy.

The July-September monsoon irrigates 60 percent of India's farms and good rains will brighten hopes for a bumper harvest that should ease high food prices and boost the purchasing power

India's annual monsoon is likely to be 96 percent of the long-term average, which would make it the worst season in five years, although the near normal forecast raised hope for economic support and bumper crops.