After bountiful spells leading to four per cent excess rains across the country, the south-west monsoon is expected to start withdrawing from the end of next week. Weather office said today that the northwest region, which experienced heavy rains over the last two days, will witness a decrease in rainfall activity next week.

24 of the 36 meteorological sub-divisions received normal rainfall this season, while nine sub-divisions got excess falls.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said, only three sub-divisions covering the entire north-eastern region experienced deficit rains.

The decrease in rainfall activity could bring relief to farmers who are now looking forward to harvest the kharif crop.

Normal rains across food bowls of the country have raised hopes of a bumper crop with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar pegging the kharif output at 123.88 million tonnes against 120.20 million tonnes in the same period last year.

The weather office has forecast fairly widespread rain over east and adjoining central India, west coast and northeastern states during next week.