Brief showers give reprieve, more expected
FORECAST MeT department issues warning of similar weather in city in the next 24 hours
LUCKNOW: The state capital received rainfall in short spurts early Monday evening which provided a brief respite from the hot and sultry weather.
Showers were reported in almost all parts of the city and nearby areas at around 6 pm, accompanied with dust storm.
The rain was caused by local disturbances, according to the meteorological department.
The MeT department has issued warning of similar weather in the city in the next 24 hours. Apart from Lucknow, warning of dust storms and squalls has also been issued for east and west UP. “We have also intimated the state government and districts concerned regarding the change in weather,” said JP Gupta, director of UP MeT department.
Meanwhile in Lucknow, the wind and rain uprooted trees which affected traffic and electricity supply. General manager of Lucknow Electricity Supply Administration(LESA) Pradeep Kakkad said, “At least a dozen trees fell on electric cables in different parts of the city which affected power supply in those areas. The officials and staff are working to restore supply .”
Historic structures also suffered damage. A minaret in Tahseenganj was reportedly damaged by the strong wind. The district administration was compiling the data regarding the damage . No casualty was reported by the time this report was filed.
The rain also led to traffic congestion in several parts of the city.
Lucknowites welcomed the rain as the state was reeling under high temperature. The maximum temperature in Lucknow on Monday was recorded at 41 degrees Celsius while the minimum was 28 degrees Celsius.
Allahabad recorded the maximum temperature in the state on Monday at 45 degrees Celsius. It was closely followed by Varanasi and Banda at 43 and 44 degree respectively, according to the MeT department.
UP has witnessed huge losses to life and property caused by thunderstorms and hostile weather condition this season. At least 100 people have been killed since May this year. Most of this damage was reported in western UP.