Lucknow: Banda remained the hottest location in Uttar Pradesh and the third hottest in the country on Sunday, as mercury levels continued to climb steadily in Lucknow. According to weather officials, relief from the scorching heat is likely to arrive from Tuesday onward due to a western disturbance approaching the northwestern part of India.
Temperature Records
Banda recorded a maximum temperature of 46.5 degrees Celsius, which is 4.4 degrees above normal. Meanwhile, Lucknow experienced its hottest day of the season so far, with the maximum temperature reaching 43 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal.
Expected Relief
Weathermen indicate that relief from the heatwave is expected after Tuesday, when a fresh western disturbance over Iran is likely to trigger weather changes and bring rainfall to some parts of Uttar Pradesh.
Lucknow's Rising Temperatures
Lucknow witnessed a steady rise in daytime temperatures over the past five days, and nights in the city also remained warm. The minimum temperature was recorded at 26.8 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees above normal. Last year on April 25, the city recorded 43 degrees Celsius, the highest temperature for the month of April.
Monday Forecast
On Monday, the city is expected to have a clear sky. The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to hover around 44 degrees Celsius and 27 degrees Celsius, respectively. Heatwave conditions are very likely to prevail in the area.
Other Affected Districts
Not only the state capital, but several districts across Uttar Pradesh also crossed the 40-degree mark. After Banda, Prayagraj was the second hottest, with the maximum temperature soaring to 46.6 degrees Celsius, followed by Raebareli (44.7), Hamirpur (44.2), Kanpur City (44.1), Jhansi (44) and Varanasi (44).
Meteorological Analysis
Senior scientist Mohammad Danish at the state meteorological department said, "Heatwave conditions eased slightly in the state because of minor temperature changes, but they are likely to continue until Sunday. The impact of an approaching western disturbance over northwest India, along with rising seasonal temperatures, warm westerly winds in the lower atmosphere, and an anticyclone over interior Maharashtra, has limited severe heatwave conditions mainly to Banda, Aligarh, Hardoi, Amethi and Prayagraj."
He added that maximum and minimum temperatures in many other districts remain well above normal. Warm night conditions have expanded to Farrukhabad, Shahjahanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Aligarh. A western disturbance is expected to affect western Uttar Pradesh by Monday and eastern Uttar Pradesh by Tuesday. Moisture from the Bay of Bengal is also likely to support weather activity.
Rain and Temperature Drop
"Rain and thunderstorms are expected to begin during this period. This activity may strengthen gradually and continue until early May. A fall in temperature of 3 to 5 degrees Celsius is expected, and heatwave conditions are likely to improve further from April 28," Danish said.
