Pre-monsoon showers in UP by mid-June

Lucknow, May 16 (IANS) The heat wave in Uttar Pradesh is likely to subside within a fortnight and the pre-monsoon showers may arrive June 18, the Met Office said Friday.

"The pre-monsoon showers usually come a week ahead of the actual monsoon rain and so far the monsoon looks to be on track," said J.P. Gupta, the regional met director.

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed high temperatures in the past week, with the day temperature in many places crossing 44 degrees Celsius.

Schools in Lucknow and some other places have been closed early due to the rising mercury.