Lucknow: Even as the entire state of Uttar Pradesh reeled under intense heat, with Banda continuing to be the hottest place in the country on Tuesday, relief is expected from Thursday as the weather department has predicted thunderstorms in several parts of the state.
Temperature Records
The maximum temperature in Banda was 47.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Orai at 45.8, Jhansi at 45.5, Prayagraj at 45.4, Agra at 45.3, and Hamirpur at 45.2 degrees Celsius. Similar conditions are expected to prevail on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 42.9 degrees Celsius, which is 2.8 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius, also 2.8 degrees above normal. No change in hot conditions is expected in the city on Wednesday.
Forecast for Relief
Uttar Pradesh is likely to get relief from the prevailing heatwave over the next few days, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms, gusty winds, and light to heavy rainfall across several parts of the state from May 28.
The change in weather conditions is expected to bring down daytime temperatures that have remained well above normal in many districts over the past week. At the same time, increased moisture following the rainfall may lead to humid and sultry conditions across large parts of the state.
Meteorological Factors
According to officials at IMD's Lucknow centre, a fresh western disturbance is approaching the Pakistan-Punjab-Haryana region, while a cyclonic circulation persists over Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Moisture-laden easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal are also advancing towards the state, creating favourable conditions for widespread thunderstorm activity and rainfall.
IMD Lucknow senior scientist Mohammad Danish said, "The interaction of the western disturbance with easterly moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger thunderstorms, lightning, and rainfall activity in many districts of the state over the next few days. This will provide relief from heatwave conditions, though humidity levels are expected to rise after rainfall."
Alerts and Warnings
The weather department has issued thunderstorm alerts across the state, with wind speeds likely to reach 50-80 kmph in isolated areas. Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, and Ghaziabad may witness lightning and rainfall, while eastern districts such as Prayagraj, Sonbhadra, and Ballia could receive heavier showers.
