India received 11 per cent less rains than normal during the June 1-23 period.<br/><br/>The weather office said that the country received 97.4 mm rainfall for the June 1-23 period as against the normal levels of 109.6 mm.<br/><br/>However, weather scientists have said that there is no need for alarm as there is still hope for improvement in rainfall across the country.<br/><br/>The southwest monsoon, which is nearly 10 days behind its normal schedule over north India, is expected to strengthen with the formation of a low-pressure area in the Bay of Bengal.<br/><br/>The weather office said, conditions are becoming favourable for further advance of southwest monsoon into parts of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and some parts of east Uttar Pradesh during next 3-4 days. <br/><br/>Since their onset on May 31, monsoon rains have made staggered progress and stopped in the tracks due to cyclone 'Phet', delaying their advance by at least 10 days to the breadbasket northern region, as well as central and northwestern parts of the country which mainly grow oilseeds.