Goa, June 29 -- After enduring an intense heatwave and an unusually delayed southwest monsoon, Delhi and several parts of north India are expected to receive much-needed rainfall within the next five to six days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

The weather department said conditions have become favourable for the monsoon to advance further into northern states, including Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi. Private weather forecaster Skymet also predicted that the monsoon could reach the national capital by July 4 if weather conditions continue to remain supportive.

Meteorologists attributed the delay to the interaction between dry westerly winds from Pakistan and moisture-laden southwesterly winds from the Arab...