Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh is bracing for the official arrival of the monsoon, anticipated to enter the state via Gorakhpur on June 18. This comes as pre-monsoon rains have already drenched over 15 cities across the state, bringing both relief from the scorching heat and challenging conditions, including significant waterlogging and a tragic toll of 35 lives lost in the past 24 hours due to lightning and drowning incidents.
Monday saw continuous rainfall in various parts of UP, including Gorakhpur, Gonda, Mathura, Balrampur, Sambhal, Agra, Hathras, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Firozabad, and Sant Kabir Nagar. Even Lucknow experienced cloudy skies and light drizzles throughout the day.
Bareilly was particularly affected, witnessing six hours of incessant rain from midnight to early morning. The deluge led to knee-deep water on the Lucknow-Delhi highway, forcing police personnel to stand in water to manage traffic. Several colonies reported waist-deep water, with roads resembling rivers near the Subhashnagar culvert. The power house in Subhashnagar also saw two feet of water accumulation. In Agra, a sudden downpour caused an eight-foot section of road to collapse, trapping a young man who was subsequently rescued after an hour-long effort.
The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for thunderstorms and rain in 62 districts for Monday, confirming the monsoon's expected entry through Gorakhpur on June 18. While most of the state is anticipating relief, Varanasi recorded the highest temperature in the country at 43.2°C in the last 24 hours, followed by Jalaun at 42.6°C. The pre-monsoon activity has regrettably been accompanied by a significant loss of life.
According to the state's disaster management department, 35 people died between Sunday and Monday, with 27 fatalities attributed to lightning strikes and three to drowning. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to survey affected areas, provide immediate compensation to victims, and ensure proper treatment for the injured. The upcoming monsoon season is projected to bring more rain than last year, with scientists anticipating a 15-20% increase over the average 947 mm. This positive outlook for agricultural yield is tempered by the immediate challenges posed by the intense pre-monsoon showers.
