Heavy next few hours in UP! Monsoon activated due to deep depression of Bay of Bengal, IMD issues alert of torrential rain in districts of Purvanchal and Awadh

Monsoon, which was on the verge of departure in most areas of Uttar Pradesh, has suddenly taken a U-turn. Due to the effect of deep depression and Western Disturbance formed in the Bay of Bengal, heavy moisture is reaching the atmosphere. Due to this, the weather has completely changed in the central, Terai and eastern parts of the state. The Lucknow Meteorological Center of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh bulletin warning that there is a possibility of strong thunder, gusty winds at a speed of 40 km per hour and torrential rain in many districts of UP during the next 24 to 48 hours. Expressing strong fear of lightning (thunderstorm), the Meteorological Department has strongly advised people not to go in open fields and under trees.

According to Meteorological Center Lucknow, the maximum impact of rain is being seen especially in eastern Uttar Pradesh (Purvanchal), Awadh region and Terai districts bordering Nepal:

• Purvanchal and Terai Belt: Warning of heavy to very heavy rain and strong winds has been issued in Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti and Bahraich.

• Varanasi and Vindhya region: There is an alert of intermittent heavy rain and lightning along with thunder in Varanasi, Ghazipur, Jaunpur, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, Bhadohi (Sant Ravidas Nagar), Azamgarh, Mau and Ballia.

• Prayagraj and Central UP: Moderate to heavy rains with cloud movement are being recorded in Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Banda, Chitrakoot, Sultanpur, Amethi, Ayodhya, Barabanki, Lucknow, Unnao and Kanpur.

Due to continuous rains and cold north-eastern winds, a huge drop of 5 to 8 degrees Celsius has been recorded in the maximum temperature in many districts of the state. In major cities like Prayagraj, Varanasi, Bahraich, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and Lucknow, the day temperature has fallen much below normal, which has brought great relief to the people from the humid heat that has been troubling them for the last several days. However, the sudden drop in temperature has also increased the risk of seasonal diseases.

• Protection from lightning: Do not take shelter in open fields, tin sheds, under tall trees or electric poles during rain and strong thunder. Stay indoors only in solid rooms.

• Use of electronic devices: Unplug TV, refrigerator and other sensitive home appliances from the power board during inclement weather.

• Advice for farmers: Do not allow waterlogging in the paddy and pulse crops standing in the fields. If fields are flooded, make arrangements for proper drainage and stop spraying pesticides or fertilizers until the weather clears.

• Caution on the road: Due to heavy rains, there is a possibility of reduced visibility and increased slippage on the roads, hence two-wheeler and four-wheeler drivers have been instructed to drive slowly.