The wait is practically over – Uttar Pradesh is ready to be enveloped in the complete grip of the monsoon within the next 24 hours. Having done the hide-and-seek for the last few days, the rain clouds have finally arrived, bringing the much-awaited relief from the heat of the summer.
Both eastern and western parts of the state are now witnessing a fast change in weather, said the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The monsoon has gained momentum and could bring heavy rains on Wednesday in several locations, especially the Bundelkhand and Terai regions.
Orange and Yellow Alerts in Force
The IMD has declared four districts- Saharanpur, Bijnor, Moradabad, and Rampur under heavy rain ‘orange alert’. Heavy rains with gusty winds and even lightning can be expected in these areas.
Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Amroha, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Jhansi, Lalitpur, and Jalaun as well have been placed under a ‘yellow alert.’ Though it’s not as serious, people here also need to be alert particularly in the rush hours.
Thunderstorms & Lightning in More than 70 Districts
The areas prone to thunderstorms and lightning are numerous; the state has over 70 districts that have been identified as potential sites for weather disturbance. From Prayagraj and Varanasi to Gorakhpur and Lucknow, no area is left alone; rather, it stretches across the state.
A number of sites including Banda, Mirzapur, Deoria, Gonda, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Rae Bareli, among others are predicted to experience unexpected thunder, lightning, and high winds. Especially when this activity is expected to raise in the late afternoon and evening, the IMD has urged people to stay indoors whenever possible.
Monsoon Rains Already Sweeping Eastern UP
If you’re living in eastern Uttar Pradesh, chances are you’ve already been drenched. For the past two days, cities like Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Hamirpur, and Pratapgarh have seen consistent moderate to heavy showers. The roads are wet, the skies are grey, and umbrellas have become everyone’s best friend.
Experts opine that the trend would continue for the next couple of days. In accordance with senior IMD scientist Atul Kumar Singh, monsoon activity would remain vigorous at least until the weekend.
Rajasthan Fights Flood-Like Situations
It’s not only UP experiencing the effects of the monsoon. Rajasthan neighboring state is also suffering from heavy rain. In the past 24 hours, Mangrol in the Baran district witnessed a massive 180 mm rainfall. Many low-lying regions are under water and daily life has been adversely affected.
The weather department has alerted heavy rain and gusty winds in Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Udaipur between June 25-27. The eastern Rajasthan too is likely to see an increased rainfall from June 27.
Delhi-NCR to Welcome Monsoon in 36 Hours
In Delhi-NCR, people are waiting for monsoon rains in the next 36 hours. The IMD indicates that heavy rain could soak the city for a minimum of three days. There were light showers in a few areas of the city on Tuesday, providing a taste of what’s in store.
Travellers have been urged to make travel arrangements in accordance with this, as waterlogging on roads and slight disruptions by winds are expected.
Rainfall Spreads Across 16 States
This weather pattern is not restricted to North India alone. The IMD claims that around 16 Indian states are seeing severe to extreme rainfall. Among them are states of Gujarat, West Bengal, Odisha, and Northeast and South Indian states as well as Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, etc.
As with shifting weather and rising warnings, it is sensible to remain well-informed about weather conditions from reliable sources. Carry rain accessories with you, not only avoid unnecessary outdoor travel but also be extra cautious while taking children, the elderly, and pets for a walk during times of storm. This monsoon may be coming in late, but it’s ensuring that it’s not being ignored.