Severe heatwave wreaks havoc across Uttar Pradesh, red alert issued for night
Lucknow, May 22: The relentless heatwave continued to grip Uttar Pradesh as traffic thinned under the scorching sun, with maximum temperatures crossing 43°C in several districts, Banda peaking at 44°C, and the Meteorological Department warning of no immediate relief while Lucknow itself hovered around 42°C.
The Meteorological Department has issued a red alert for heatwave and heatwave in ten districts of the state on Friday. Additionally, it has issued a warning of extreme heatwave for about two dozen other districts. Night temperatures are also expected to remain above normal in many districts.
Atul Kumar Singh, senior scientist at the Regional Meteorological Center, Lucknow, said that a severe heat wave is likely to continue in eastern and southern Uttar Pradesh for the next three to four days. A heatwave alert has been issued in the state for the next six days, starting Friday. Banda district remains the hottest in the state, recording a temperature of 45 degrees Celsius on Friday.
The Meteorological Department has predicted a heat wave in the eastern and western regions of the state from May 22 to 27. These districts include Banda, Chitrakoot, Jalaun, Hamirpur, Jhansi, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Pratapgarh, Mirzapur, Varanasi, Bhadohi, Jaunpur, Meerut, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Ghaziabad, Baghpat, Bulandshahr, Agra, Aligarh, and surrounding areas. Additionally, heat waves are likely to persist at night in several districts, including Sonbhadra, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Unnao, Lucknow, Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, Baghpat, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Hapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Hathras, Kasganj, Etah, Mainpuri, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, and surrounding areas. Several major cities, including the capital Lucknow, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, are expected to experience intense heat, with temperatures reaching 45 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has predicted intense heat and scorching sun in the capital Lucknow for the next 10 days. The weather may change slightly in late May (May 28-30). Light rain or thundershowers are expected. A drop in temperatures may bring relief.
Monsoon to reach Kerala in 3-4 days
According to the Met officials, the southwest monsoon is advancing rapidly. If this pace continues, it is expected to reach Kerala in the next three to four days. Currently, ocean conditions in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal remain favorable for the monsoon’s advance. The Meteorological Department says that if the monsoon reaches Kerala before the scheduled time, its effects could be quickly visible on the weather across the country.
Chief Minister Yogi issued instructions
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to be vigilant in relief and rescue operations in view of the heatwave sweeping the state. He urged all departments to work in coordination to protect the public from heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat-related problems. He urged the district administration, health department, electricity department, and relief agencies to remain on alert and to ensure no negligence.
