Jasjeev Gandhiok,Pallavi Singhal July this year will be drier than usual, with rainfall across the country expected to be 94% of the long-period average (LPA), the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Tuesday, bucking hopes of any major relief after a bruising June that was the fifth-driest in 125 years. The agency also warned of above-normal temperatures for large swathes of the country, in what is expected to further stress crops during India's peak sowing period.