India, June 25 -- LUCKNOW The Southwest monsoon is likely to reach east Uttar Pradesh this weekend, bringing the season's first rains to districts bordering Bihar after a 10-day delay. The delayed onset is expected around June 28, said Atul Kumar Singh, senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Lucknow.

"Conditions are now favourable for the Southwest Monsoon to reach Uttar Pradesh over the next few days," according to an India Meteorological Department (IMD) bulletin released on Wednesday.

The postponed arrival has deepened UP's rainfall deficit to 54%, with the state receiving 26.5 mm of rain against the normal 58.2 mm between June 1-24. East UP's deficit stands at 67% (21.7 mm against 66 mm normal), while west UP lags a...