In pictures: Monsoon rains arrive in India

Children play as two men walk through a flooded street during monsoon rains in Mumbai, India, Sunday, June 9, 2013. The Southwest monsoon, arrived in the city Saturday, three days ahead of schedule, according to the meteorological department

Monsoon rains have arrived in India, providing some relief from scorching summer temperatures.

Beachgoers stroll along the Fort Kochi beach while holding umbrellas during a rain shower in the southern Indian city of Kochi May 29, 2013. India's weather office has forecast an average monsoon in the country in 2013.

As usual the south-west monsoon reached the coast of Kerala state first, arriving on its scheduled debut date of 1 June.

An Indian man on bicycle protects himself with a plastic bag from a heavy monsoon shower in Hyderabad, India, Saturday, June 8, 2013.

Since then, the monsoon has travelled north, soaking cities and farmland with desperately needed rain.

A fish vendor carries his basket on his head covered with plastic as he walks through a street during monsoon rains in Mumbai, India, on Sunday, June 9, 2013. The Southwest monsoon, arrived in the city Saturday, three days ahead of schedule, according to the meteorological department

The city of Mumbai welcomed the rain on Sunday, a day ahead of schedule. Here a fish vendor carries his basket covered with plastic on his head.

Indian children wade through a submerged area after a rain shower in Allahabad on June 9, 2013

Monsoon rains, which last from June to September, are crucial for millions of farmers across the country whose crops feed more than a billion people.

People hold umbrellas as they walk in a heavy rain shower in the northern Indian hill town of Shimla June 6, 2013. I

Weather officials say in the first week since its arrival this year, the monsoon has recorded higher than average levels of rain.

Rain clouds hover over as a cab plies through a bridge in Kolkata, India, Thursday, June 6, 2013. Monsoon rains are expected to arrive in the city in a week, according to weather officials

Other parts of the country - like Calcutta in the east - are still waiting for the clouds to burst. The rain is expected to arrive in the city in a week.

Newly-wed donkeys stand with farmers after a marriage ceremony in Mumbai June 5, 2013. According to a local Hindu belief, the marriage of donkeys speeds up the arrival of monsoon rains

In many parts of India, religious rituals are held to speed up the arrival of the monsoon. In drought-hit Solapur district in western Maharashtra state, Hindu farmers married off two donkeys as they prayed for a good monsoon.