The all-India monsoon deficit fell below 10 per cent of normal level for the first time this season on Friday as against 12 per cent till 29th August.

The weekly update on the current status of monsoon by the Met office said, the monsoon deficit on Friday was nine per cent of the long period average, categorized as below normal in the department's monsoon nomenclature.

As much as 64 per cent of the country has now received normal or excess rain this season, while the rest got deficient rainfall which means 20 per cent below normal.

The Met department has forecast fairly widespread rain in central and east India till the first half of next week.

For the next two-three days, western Himalayas and adjoining northwestern plains may also see fairly widespread rain. Rain is also forecast for the west coast and the northeastern region.