Lucknow: The southwest monsoon arrived quietly this year, but is retreating with a resounding farewell due to a weather system that has developed over the Bay of Bengal. More rainfall is expected till Sunday. Widespread incessant showers were reported across east and central UP as well as the Terai belt and Bundelkhand from Thursday night until late hours on Friday.
Rainfall in Lucknow was around 50.6 mm until 5:30 pm on Friday. Overnight rainfall till 8.30am in the city was 10.5 mm The weather system also brought a noticeable drop in temperatures, with maximum temperatures falling by 4-7 degrees Celsius in many parts. Lucknow and its neighbouring districts, including Ayodhya, Sultanpur and Rae Bareli, witnessed non-stop rainfall on Friday.
The southwest monsoon made a quiet entry into the state on June 30, 12 days behind its scheduled arrival.
As moisture supply continues, the clouds are also getting repeatedly recharged, which is why we are seeing prolonged rainfall rather than just one short shower,” Danish said. Rainfall can be heavy at a few places, leading to a flash-flood-like situation. Several districts in eastern Uttar Pradesh could see very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, including Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti and Bahraich. Heavy to very heavy rain is also expected in districts including Basti, Maharajganj, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Barabanki, Rae Bareli, Ayodhya, Sultanpur, Prayagraj and Fatehpur. Lucknow is also among the districts listed for heavy rain. “Think of it like a tap that has been left running. The weather system has pushed a continuous supply of moisture from the Bay of Bengal into the state’s atmosphere, leading to the formation of clouds and rain. Thereafter, the month of July witnessed scanty rains. However, rainfall in August was good. The wet streak continued in Sept. In fact, the southwest monsoon had started withdrawing from the state from Wednesday. It has retreated from some parts of West UP. However, the formation of the weather system in the Bay of Bengal has energised the retreating currents over central, east, south and north UP.
The wet spell is expected to continue on Saturday and Sunday, with India Meteorological Department forecasting heavy to very heavy rain at several places across the state.