India 'faces worst drought in years'

India is facing its worst drought in nearly 40 years because of a once-in-a-generation shortfall in summer rains, weather experts warned today.

Rainfall during the monsoon season which ended today was 23% below average, with the north-west states of Punjab and Haryana, the main producers of wheat and rice, getting 36% less rainfall than usual, said Avadesh Kumar, a director at the Indian Meteorological Department.