Kanpur division and its surrounding districts were struck by intense unseasonal weather on Tuesday morning, as heavy rainfall, powerful winds, and a hailstorm swept through the region. The sudden climatic shift began around 8 am, when dense clouds enveloped the city, leading to a downpour accompanied by gusty winds.
Impact on City and Agriculture
The hailstorm left a white blanket of snow-like ice on the roads, significantly increasing the chill in the air. More critically, the unseasonal rain and hailstorms caused substantial damage to standing crops in fields across some areas, posing a threat to local agriculture and farmers' livelihoods.
IMD Issues Widespread Alerts
The Indian Meteorological Department has responded by issuing a rain alert for 26 districts and a dense fog alert for 29 districts over the next 24 hours. Gusty winds with speeds ranging from 40 to 50 kilometers per hour are anticipated in regions including Hamirpur, Mahoba, Jhansi, and Lalitpur. The IMD further predicts thunderstorms, lightning, and light to moderate rainfall with sudden strong winds in the affected zones.
Expert Analysis on Weather Patterns
According to S Sunil Pandey, a weather expert from CSA University, the severe conditions were triggered by a western disturbance. Pandey indicated that two additional western disturbances are expected on February 6 and 9, potentially bringing similar climatic conditions back to Kanpur division. He noted that due to these disturbances, rain and snowfall are forecasted in hilly areas, which will contribute to increased chill in the plains as well.
Temperature and Rainfall Data
Weather records show that the minimum temperature in Kanpur was recorded at 12.8 degrees Celsius, which is 4.2 degrees above normal, while the maximum temperature stood at 19 degrees Celsius, 2.4 degrees below normal. The city received 10.1 mm of rainfall during the morning hours. Pandey added that temperatures are likely to fluctuate by approximately one-third of a degree, and the persistent winds will continue to make nights feel colder in the coming days.
