LUCKNOW, Sept. 3 -- The monsoon picked up pace across Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. Heavy rain pushed the state's seasonal rainfall deficit down to just 2%, while Lucknow received 65.5 mm of rain in 24 hours. UP has recorded 592.4 mm of rainfall since June 1 against the normal 607.5 mm, even as several districts witnessed intense showers and the weather office forecast more heavy rain over the next six days.

Lucknow has recorded 589.5 mm of rainfall since June 1 against the long-period average of 532.1 mm, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD) data.

Among the city's observatories, Lucknow Control Room at Aliganj recorded 115.4 mm, Hanuman Setu 106.2 mm, Malihabad 57.5 mm, Bani 50.4 mm, Amausi airport 35.5 mm and Mohanlalganj ...