Lucknow, Jul 5 (IANS): Heavy rains lashed Lucknow and other parts of Uttar Pradesh early Thursday, bringing respite from the hot and muggy weather. The downpour is likely to continue for the next few days, a Met department official said.

After drenching Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, the monsoon rising from the Bay of Bengal has advanced to the northern states.

Although rains were expected in Uttar Pradesh by July 8-9, high humidity seems to have preponed the onset of monsoon. Heavy rainfall is expected in the state for the next three days, according to the official.

Lucknow had witnessed one of the scantiest rainfall periods in June with the city receiving only 5.9 mm rainfall against 160.2 mm in the previous year.

The early morning showers, however, left many areas in the city inundated. With most roadside drains choked and sewers overflowing, commuters had a tough time in negotiating their way in ankle deep water at Gokhale Marg, Narahi, Nishatganj, Aliganj, Alambagh and Qaiserbagh areas.

Water logging was also seen in most low lying areas in the old parts of the city. Heavy rains were reported from other parts of the state too, according to the weatherman.