“The rainfall deficit could be quite significant in western and southern states during this period,” he said. The rainfall deficit is likely to widen by the end of the month as a strengthening El Nino is expected to reduce rainfall in the coming weeks, said another weather department official. “Minimum and maximum temperatures are likely to rise and remain above normal in the coming weeks,” he said. Farmers stepped up planting of summer-sown crops, including soybeans, cotton, corn, pulses and paddy, after near-normal rainfall in July boosted soil moisture. The roots of newly planted crops have yet to penetrate deep into the soil, leaving them vulnerable to damage from a prolonged dry spell, said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trade house.