Lightning, Thunderstorms Hit UP, IMD Predicts Rain Spell Across State This Week

Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning affected several parts of western Uttar Pradesh , while heavy rainfall lashed pockets of the eastern region on Monday, with Gorakhpur emerging as the wettest district after recording 85.3 mm of rainfall , according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Besides Gorakhpur, Mohana received 33 mm of rainfall , while Bulandshahr and Motipur Harhwa recorded 3.5 mm each. Jaunpur received 0.5 mm of rain and Bahraich reported only trace precipitation. Most other districts, including Agra, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kanpur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Bareilly, Moradabad and Jhansi, remained dry.

Despite scattered rainfall, temperatures stayed above normal across much of the state. Moradabad and Hamirpur were the hottest locations at 37.2 degrees Celsius , followed closely by Agra. Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 36.9 degrees Celsius , nearly three degrees above normal, with high humidity making conditions warm and uncomfortable. In contrast, rain-cooled Gorakhpur recorded the lowest maximum temperature among major observatories at 32.6 degrees Celsius .

Humidity levels remained exceptionally high, touching 100 per cent in Kushinagar and Mohana , while Gorakhpur recorded 98 per cent morning humidity.

The IMD said the state continues to face a significant rainfall deficit. Eastern Uttar Pradesh received 4.9 mm of rain against the normal 10.1 mm, a deficit of 51 per cent , while western Uttar Pradesh recorded only 0.1 mm against the normal 7.2 mm, reflecting a 99 per cent deficit .

According to the IMD, thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and squally winds are likely to persist over parts of western Uttar Pradesh in the short term. While no weather warning has been issued until July 16, the department has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated places over eastern Uttar Pradesh from July 17 to 19, and over western Uttar Pradesh on July 18 and 19, indicating a possible improvement in monsoon activity later this week.