Mumbai, June 26 -- India's annual monsoon is poised to blanket the entire country within the next three to four days, over a week earlier than its usual timeline, media reports said.

The early spread of rains is expected to give a strong push to the sowing of key summer crops.

The monsoon, which powers India's nearly $4 trillion economy, is crucial for farm irrigation and replenishing the country's water reserves.

In a typical year, the monsoon hits Kerala around June 1 and reaches the rest of the country by July 8.

R.K. Jenamani, head of the national weather forecasting centre, said conditions were favourable for the monsoon to cover the remaining areas within the next three to four days, reported Hindustan Times.

Despite a sluggish...