Uttar Pradesh is set for a sharp weather swing, with the India Meteorological Department issuing a yellow alert for July 18 warning of heavy rain, strong thunderstorms and lightning across more than 50 districts of the state. Wind speeds during the spell could touch 70 kilometres per hour, raising the risk of damage to trees and plants, while several areas have also been warned of thunder and lightning strikes.
A Low Pressure Area Over the Bay of Bengal
Weather officials point to a low pressure area formed over the Bay of Bengal as the main driver behind the ongoing spell of rain across large parts of the state, with the wet weather expected to continue for the next seven days. A separate weather system is also becoming active near the equator. Together, these two systems are expected to bring rain to Madhya Pradesh and other parts of north and central India between July 20 and July 30. Notably, since the monsoon arrived in the first week of July, Jammu and Kashmir has already recorded 16 cloudburst events in just 15 days.
Districts Under the Yellow Alert
The alert list includes Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Sambhal, Budaun, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Kheri, Unnao, Lakhimpur Kheri, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Mirzapur, Jaunpur, Ghazipur and Barabanki, among more than 50 locations expected to see strong thunderstorms and rain. Residents have been urged to stay alert, as standing crops in farmers' fields could be damaged by the storms. An upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions, which could intensify the rainfall further. Gautam Buddh Nagar, however, has not been placed under any warning for now. In Lucknow, the maximum temperature today is expected to hover around 33 degrees Celsius, with the minimum around 28 degrees Celsius.
Saryu River Swells in Barabanki, 87 Villages at Flood Risk
Heavy rain in Nepal and the surrounding hill regions is now being felt on the plains of Uttar Pradesh as well. The Saryu river in Barabanki has risen close to the danger mark as a result, putting 87 villages along its banks under threat of flooding. Local authorities are alerting residents in the affected areas. The weather department has also issued a warning of thunderstorms and rain for all 75 districts of the state, advising people to take precautions.
