LUCKNOW, Aug. 13 -- Low-pressure areas-one over north-western Madhya Pradesh and another over the northern Bay of Bengal-and a monsoon trough connecting the centres of these systems via Satna and Daltonganj are likely to cause widespread rain across Uttar Pradesh between August 13 and 18, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD). According to a weatherman, the low-pressure area over the Bay of Bengal is likely to intensify into a 'well-marked low-pressure area' within the next 12 hours. It is then expected to move north-westward and cross the coast of West Bengal and adjacent Bangladesh. The northward shift of the monsoon trough will strengthen the regional monsoon flow. Consequently, another spell of widespread rain is set to begin in eastern Uttar Pradesh on August 13, extending to the central and adjoining western parts of the state by August 14. UP is grappling with a 22% rainfall deficit since June 1. By August 12, the state recorded 349.6 mm of rain against a long period average of 449.1 mm, according to the IMD district-wise seasonal rainfall distribution chart. Eastern UP is currently facing a 30% deficit, having received 335.4 mm of rain against the normal 477.8 mm. West UP fared better, receiving 369.8 mm rain against an average of 408.9 mm, resulting in 10% deficit. Overall, 43 districts remained in rain deficit. Statewide, seven districts have recorded "large deficient" rainfall (-60% to -99%), another 34 districts recorded deficient rainfall (defined as -20% to -59%), while only 27 districts have experienced normal rainfall (ranging from -19% to +19%). Two West UP districts fall under the "excess" category (from 20% to 59%): Etah (398.3 mm against normal 299.4 mm, 33% excess) and Firozabad (461.1 mm against normal 346.5 mm, 33% excess). Another three West UP districts saw "large excess" rainfall: Meerut (729.8 mm, 84% surplus), Muzaffarnagar (719.9 mm, 78% excess) and Sambhal (696.9 mm, 76% excess). Lucknow's rain deficit is pegged at 32% as the state capital received 271.3 mm rainfall against the normal 397.2 mm since June 1. During the last 24 hours, Bijnor recorded the heaviest rainfall at 152 mm, while Meerut and Kalanaur in Saharanpur received 96.4 mm and 91.6 mm rain respectively. The IMD issued a yellow alert for heavy rain in 11 districts of East UP. These are: Sonbhadra, Chandauli, Ghazipur, Mau, Ballia, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Balrampur and surrounding areas. There is yellow alert for thunderstorms/lightning in 30 districts including Varanasi, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Azamgarh, Kushinagar and Lakhimpur Kheri....