LUCKNOW, June 29 -- After an 11-day delay, the Southwest monsoon is set to enter Uttar Pradesh within the next 24 to 48 hours, bringing widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and lightning across the state, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Monday. The monsoon normally reaches the state by June 18, while the rainfall deficit has widened to 59%.

The IMD said conditions are favourable for the monsoon's advance into Uttar Pradesh over the next two days. A fresh spell of rain is likely to begin from June 30, with rainfall expected to increase gradually. Good rainfall is also forecast during the first week of July.

With the arrival of the monsoon, heatwave conditions are expected to end across the state. Maximum temperatures are ...