THE NEWS: Indians have grown increasingly desperate waiting for the long-delayed deluge of this year's monsoon, the annual rains that replenish India's rivers and quench crops to keep this vast nation of 1.2 billion fed.

THE NUMBERS: Rains are at least 22 percent below normal so far, several states face drought and farmers fear grave losses. Some analysts put the rain deficit at 31 percent.

THE IMPACT: A drought would be devastating because about 60 percent of India's people work in agriculture and that sector contributes 16 to 20 percent of the nation's gross domestic product. It could also worsen inflation of food prices.