ALERT SOUNDED IN UP DISTRICTS TOO

LUCKNOW : Strong winds, showers and lightning may be experienced in the next 24 hours in more than 20 districts of western and central UP, the Met office said on Tuesday. These disturbances will be a result of cyclone Nisarga.

LUCKNOW: Strong winds, showers and lightning may be experienced in the next 24 hours in more than 20 districts of western and central UP, the Met office said on Tuesday. These disturbances will be a result of cyclone Nisarga, a forecast of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

A majority of these disturbance-hit districts fall in the Bundelkhand and Agra region. Etah, Aligarh, Agra Mahoba along with other districts will experience winds with speeds over 60 kmph in the next 24 hours, reads the warning issued by the IMD. Cyclone Nisagra is expected to hit coastal Maharashtra and Gujarat on Tuesday evening.

“Cyclones cause a negative air pressure in a large area that causes weather disturbances. Some parts of central UP will be affected by it,” said UP meteorological department director JP Gupta.

The state MET department has issued a warning to the government, which has been relayed to respective districts. “The district administration has been asked to stay on an alert and make suitable arrangements to tackle emergencies caused due to these weather conditions,” Gupta added.

Over 30 people had been killed when regions of the state witnessed weather disturbances over the last weekend. The ill-fated were either struck by lightning or due to natural calamities between May 29 and May 31.

The administration in districts has started making public announcements for people to stay indoors. People are being told about lightning and heavy winds expected in the region. “We have also alerted the electricity and health department to make the required arrangements,” said a senior official in the state disaster management department.

PHOTO: DHEERAJ DHAWAN/HT ■ Policemen go about their job checking vehicles in Lucknow as the sprinkle of clouds in the backdrop presents a scenic view. As for the weather, the Indian Meteorological Department has forecast that more than 20 districts, mostly in west and central UP, will experience strong winds and brief rain, accompanied with lightning, in next 24 hours due to disturbances caused by the cyclone Nisarga in the Arabian sea.