LUCKNOW, July 19 -- Uttar Pradesh's monsoon gathered momentum over the weekend, trimming the state's rainfall deficit to 27% from 29% and prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to retain an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain till July 22. Even as widespread showers brought relief across many districts, Lucknow's rainfall deficit widened to 52%.

The improvement in the state's rainfall followed the weakening of a well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and an increase in monsoon inflow from the region.

"Following the weakening of the well-marked low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and an increase in monsoon inflow from the region, the monsoon trough has strengthened and become active. It now extends c...