The weather across the country is in a restless phase right now. According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), monsoon activity is likely to stay alive across several states on 17 June. The southwest monsoon is currently inching forward at a slow pace, and its effect is already visible across parts of eastern, central, southern and northeastern India, where spells of rain will continue.
What the weather holds
The department expects many areas to see showers accompanied by thunder, lightning and gusty winds. The most welcome part of this rainfall is that temperatures are set to dip in several states, offering people some respite from the punishing heat. In Uttar Pradesh too, the weather is poised to change, with parts of western UP likely to record light to moderate rain along with thunderstorms.
Districts under yellow alert
The IMD has issued a yellow alert for storms, thunder and rain in Agra, Firozabad, Etawah, Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jhansi and Lalitpur. Weather scientists say a western disturbance is active around Haryana, and it is this system that is triggering the pre-monsoon rain.
When will the monsoon reach UP
The monsoon has already arrived at the UP-Bihar border. It is expected to move ahead through Jharkhand and could enter the state via Sonbhadra district between 20 and 23 June. The signals for this year's monsoon, however, are not entirely encouraging. According to IMD Director General Dr. M Mohapatra, La Nina-like conditions in the Pacific Ocean are fading this year and the situation is showing signs of tilting toward El Nino, which usually leads to reduced rainfall. In other words, the southwest monsoon is expected to be weaker than normal this season. On top of that, the low snow cover that formed in the Northern Hemisphere between January and March could also weigh on the monsoon.
School holidays extended to 24 June
On a separate front, given the severe heat and heatwave conditions, the Uttar Pradesh government has extended the summer vacation in the state's government schools until 24 June. Schools will now reopen on 25 June, while teachers will have to report to their institutions from 22 June to complete academic preparations. The Yogi government has directed all districts to apply a uniform holiday so that the academic session can ensure 220 teaching days and children get a better learning environment. Alongside this, mass yoga sessions will also be organised in schools to mark International Yoga Day.
