Severe Heatwave Warning and Temperature Surge
Uttar Pradesh is facing an intense spell of summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert warning of severe heatwave conditions starting Sunday, June 21, in more than 35 districts of the state, including the capital city Lucknow. Weather experts have indicated that temperatures could spike by an additional 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next five days, bringing blistering conditions during the daytime.
Monsoon Stalled as Westerly Winds Take Control
Typically, the monsoon hits Uttar Pradesh by June 18. However, this year it has been delayed by over a week, with its arrival now pushed to June 25 or 26, and even those dates remain uncertain. While the monsoon made rapid progress initially, covering 19 states within its first 15 days, its main currents have now stalled near Telangana and neighboring regions.
According to Atul Kumar Singh, a senior weather scientist at the Meteorological Centre Lucknow, the absence of an active trough line or a robust weather system over Uttar Pradesh has allowed hot westerly winds to regain dominance. This shift has pushed back the onset of the monsoon, forcing residents to endure extreme heat until at least after June 25.
Banda Records Highest Temperature at 44.2 Degrees Celsius
Data released by the weather department shows that temperatures across most districts in the state have remained 3 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal over the last 24 hours. Banda district in the Bundelkhand region recorded the state's highest temperature at 44.2 degrees Celsius.
Other districts also reported high temperatures: Prayagraj at 43.6 degrees, Varanasi BHU at 43.0 degrees, Jhansi at 42.6 degrees, and Hamirpur at 42.2 degrees Celsius. Bahraich reached 42 degrees, Sultanpur reported 41.6 degrees, Fursatganj saw 41.7 degrees, Barabanki hit 41.5 degrees, Varanasi Airport reached 42.2 degrees, and Lucknow registered 41.3 degrees Celsius. Kanpur recorded 41 degrees, Agra 40.6 degrees, Aligarh 40.8 degrees, Fatehpur 41 degrees, Hardoi 40.2 degrees, Ayodhya 40 degrees, and Muzaffarnagar recorded the lowest at 36.4 degrees Celsius.
Yellow Alert and Administrative Advisory
A yellow alert has been issued for around 35 districts, including Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Amethi, Bahraich, and Barabanki. Extremely hot winds, or "loo", are expected during the afternoon hours, raising the risk of heatstrokes. Local administrators and healthcare professionals have urged citizens to remain indoors between 12 pm and 4 pm unless absolutely necessary and to stay well-hydrated. Significant relief from this scorching heat is only anticipated after June 25.
