UP gets wettest June with 70% excess rainfall this year: IMD

LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh experienced its wettest month of June with 70% excess rainfall across the state and no heat wave this year, according to Indian Metrological Department (IMD), Lucknow. In June, Uttar Pradesh recorded around 70% excess rainfall across the state. The eastern UP states recorded slightly more rainfall than the districts in central and western UP, the IMD data said.

“Uttar Pradesh recorded more rainfall in month of June in last four years. It rained for more than 18 days in the entire month. It was caused primarily by southwestern monsoon and western disturbances along with climatic conditions due to Tauktae and Yaas cyclone storms,” said JP Gupta, director of MeT department, UP.

“The above average rainfall provided a relief from high temperature. The average maximum temperature in the month of June as per the IMD data across UP was recorded at 35 degrees Celsius which is six degrees below normal,” he said.

Even the average lowest temperature slipped three degrees and was recorded around 24 degrees Celsius. The heavy rainfall, however, caused high humidity that troubled people.

According to Gupta, the change was drastic considering that June in UP is synonymous with high temperature and heat waves that pass through the state with mercury reaching up to 44 degrees Celsius in many places. The average maximum temperature of UP in the month June was recorded at 41 degrees Celsius.

Experts fear that this abnormal weather conditions may continue in coming months. “IMD has issued forecast of below average rains in the first week of July, which is not normal. Moreover, the monsoon is expected to scatter leading to uneven rainfall across UP. These aspects will lead to more unusual weather conditions in UP and across the North India in general in coming months,” predicted senior environmentalist Surendra Prabhakar.

While these changes in weather conditions may appear small, they do leave a sizeable impact on the environment. “The slightest of change in the weather condition has a direct impact on environment around it. The deviation in heat and rains is reflected in the reduced mango production this year. The sowing of kharif crop in UP has also been impacted due to uneven in monsoon,” said Prabhakar, adding these weather conditions are reflective of changing weather pattern caused by global warming.