# UP Braces For Storms and Heavy Rain as IMD Issues Yellow Alert For 50-Plus Districts, Saryu River Swells in Barabanki

> The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain, thunderstorms and lightning across more than 50 districts of Uttar Pradesh on July 18, while the swelling Saryu river has put 87 villages in Barabanki at flood risk.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Uttar Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-07-18 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/up-men-aja-se-andhi-barisha-ka-kahara-50-se-jyada-jilon-men-yelo-alarta-barabanki-men-saryu-nadi-uphanai-8432 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** UP Weather, IMD Alert, Barabanki Flood, Saryu River, Monsoon Rain, UP Rain Alert

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.

## What this means for you
- **Across India:** With fresh weather systems becoming active, rain could pick up in the coming days across Madhya Pradesh and other parts of north and central India, so check weather updates before travel or outdoor work.
- **In Uttar Pradesh:** Residents in over 50 districts, from Saharanpur to Varanasi and Prayagraj, should avoid stepping out during thunderstorms and lightning, while people in the 87 riverside villages of Barabanki need to track the flood situation and farmers should take steps to protect standing crops.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. How many UP districts are under the yellow alert today?
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for heavy rain and thunderstorms across more than 50 districts of Uttar Pradesh for July 18.

### 2. How strong could the winds get during the storm?
Wind speeds during the spell could reach up to 70 kilometres per hour, which could damage trees and plants.

### 3. What is causing this spell of rain?
A low pressure area over the Bay of Bengal and a new weather system becoming active near the equator are the main drivers behind the rain.

### 4. What is happening in Barabanki?
Heavy rain in Nepal and hill regions has pushed the Saryu river close to the danger mark in Barabanki, putting 87 villages at risk of flooding.

### 5. What will the temperature be in Lucknow today?
Lucknow is expected to see a maximum temperature of around 33 degrees Celsius and a minimum of around 28 degrees Celsius today.

### 6. Has any alert been issued for Gautam Buddh Nagar?
No, Gautam Buddh Nagar has not been placed under any weather warning for now.

### 7. Where is rain expected between July 20 and July 30?
With new weather systems becoming active, rain is expected in Madhya Pradesh and other parts of north and central India during this period.

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