Heat-wave grips southern UP, thunderstorms lash Terai and Purvanchal

With the onset of Nautapa on Monday, the southern parts of Uttar Pradesh are reeling under intense heat-wave conditions, while the Terai and Purvanchal regions are experiencing thunderstorms, lightning and light rain.

The weather in Uttar Pradesh has turned unpredictable in recent days, even as heat-wave conditions continue. Nautapa, which commenced today, is expected to continue till June 2.

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In Lucknow, green shades were installed at traffic signal points to provide relief from the scorching sun. A Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) personnel died while managing traffic in Moradabad. The cause of death is suspected to be heatstroke.

The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heat-wave conditions in 10 districts and an orange alert in 23 districts for Monday. Warnings of strong winds, thunderstorms, and light drizzle have also been issued for 14 districts in the Terai and Purvanchal regions. Wind speeds of 40 to 60 kmph are expected in these areas.

The heat-wave peaked in Bundelkhand and the southern districts on Sunday. Banda was the hottest city in the state, recording a temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures also crossed 45 degrees Celsius in Prayagraj, Jhansi, Orai, and Agra, leaving residents struggling with intense heat throughout the day.

According to Atul Kumar Singh, Senior Scientist at the Regional Meteorological Centre, Lucknow, easterly winds and moisture incursion indicate a change in weather over the Terai region, while the rest of the state is unlikely to get relief from the heat-wave.

He said, “Temperatures in Uttar Pradesh have remained very high over the past few days. The intense heat has created a significant difference between ground-level and upper-air temperatures, creating favourable conditions for storms and rain. A trough is also active from eastern Uttar Pradesh towards Chhattisgarh, increasing the possibility of strong winds, lightning, and light rain. However, temperatures are unlikely to drop significantly, and the state will remain in the grip of a heat-wave.”

A red alert for heat-wave conditions has been issued for Banda, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, and Bhadohi districts and adjoining areas.

An orange alert for heat-wave conditions has been issued for Sonbhadra, Jaunpur, Ghazipur, Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Amethi, Sultanpur, Mathura, Hathras, Etah, Agra, Firozabad, Mainpuri, Etawah, Auraiya, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur districts and adjoining areas.