Varanasi witnessed a significant change in weather early Friday morning as heavy rains and strong dust storms brought much-needed relief from the intense heat that had prevailed over the past few days. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum temperature recorded on Friday was 33.2 degrees Celsius, which is 7.2 degrees below the normal, while the minimum temperature was recorded at 21.4 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees below the normal. After the rains, the mercury dropped by 4.6 degrees Celsius, as the city had recorded 37.8 degrees Celsius on May 28.
Amid the pleasant weather, people thronged to the Ganga ghats with their families, and crowds began gathering at Assi Ghat, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Namo Ghat, and Rajghat. The cool breeze at the ghats came as a blessing for tourists who had endured an intense heatwave for the past 10 days. According to the IMD, people are expected to get relief from the scorching heat for the next two to three days.
Storm Causes Damage Across the City
However, the severe storm with strong winds and heavy rain wreaked havoc across several areas of the city. More than half a dozen trees were uprooted at various locations, including the Cantonment area, disrupting traffic on multiple routes. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
A massive tree was uprooted near Lal Church in the Cantonment during the storm. A tempo traveler parked nearby was damaged, and the church wall also sustained damage. Similarly, a large neem tree fell on the Mint House Station road, disrupting traffic. A tree fall was also reported near 39 GTC Gate No. 6. A large tree fell near Banakti Hanuman Mandir, bringing down an adjacent wall as well. According to local residents, the fallen tree obstructed the movement of vehicles on the lane.
Blocked Routes Cause Difficulty for Devotees
In the Harhua area, a neem tree fell on the Panchkoshi Parikrama Marg due to the strong winds and rain, completely blocking the route. Due to Adhik Maas, the number of devotees on the Panchkoshi Yatra in Varanasi has increased during this period. With the route blocked at dawn, devotees and passersby faced difficulty. Local residents attempted to clear the path by cutting the tree's branches even in the rain. The administration swung into action after receiving information from different parts of the city and restored the obstructed routes in a short period of time.
The IMD has predicted that the pleasant weather will continue for the next few days, providing relief from the heatwave. However, residents are advised to stay cautious as further storms are possible.
