Southwest monsoon is expected to pick up pace in the latter half of next week as most parts of the country, barring the flood-hit northeast, faced deficient rain.

Acting Director General of India
Meteorological Department (IMD) Swati Basu, , told reporters in New Delhi yesterday that she expected good rains in July, which was crucial for the largely agriculture-based trillion dollar economy of the country.

IMD forecast for next week issued also said conditions would become favourable for further advance of monsoon over some more parts of central India and northwest India mainly during second half of the week .