Uttar Pradesh braces for monsoon; 26 districts under rain warning

The Lucknow Journal Desk June 30, 2026

Lucknow, June 30: Uttar Pradesh residents are finally breathing easier as the scorching heat eases, with mild sunshine and cooler winds bringing down temperatures, while the Meteorological Department signals that favorable conditions are forming for the monsoon to arrive at any moment.

In light of the storm and rain that hit several districts on Monday evening, the Meteorological Department estimates that the monsoon could become active in the state between Tuesday and Wednesday. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy rain and lightning in several districts. Heavy rain alerts have been issued for 26 districts, including Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, and Kushinagar, while an orange alert has been issued for more than two dozen districts, including Prayagraj, Varanasi, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra, due to the possibility of lightning. Apart from this, there is a possibility of light to moderate and at some places heavy rain in more than 50 districts on Tuesday. However, the weather is still hot in the southern districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh like Sonbhadra, Mirzapur and Chandauli.

Lightning alert in many districts

Atul Kumar Singh, scientist of Lucknow Centre of India Meteorological Department, said that monsoon activities will intensify in the entire state between Tuesday and Wednesday. He said that there is a possibility of good rain in the state in the first week of July. The Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for lightning accompanied by thunder in many areas including Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Pratapgarh, Chitrakoot, Banda, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Jaunpur, Azamgarh, Ballia, Gorakhpur, Maharajganj, Gonda, Bahraich.

Rain alert in several areas

The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rain in several areas of Uttar Pradesh, including Amroha, Moradabad, Sambhal, and Bareilly in western Uttar Pradesh, and Gorakhpur, Basti, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Shravasti, Bahraich, Sitapur, and Barabanki in Purvanchal.

Mixed weather in Agra, Bahraich, and Aligarh

Rain fell in several districts of the state on Monday. Bahraich recorded the highest rainfall of 104 mm, followed by Shravasti with 80 mm. Furthermore, Agra experienced a heatwave, with the maximum temperature reaching 42.9 degrees Celsius. Aligarh recorded 42 degrees Celsius and Banda 41.2 degrees Celsius. According to the Meteorological Department, the state received 59 percent less rainfall than normal in June due to the sluggish monsoon.

Storms and lightning caused significant loss of life and property

The severe storm and lightning that hit the state on Monday evening caused extensive damage in several districts. Several people died and several others were seriously injured in incidents in different districts. In Firozabad, a large neem tree fell on an e-rickshaw due to the strong storm. Five people, including the driver, died in the accident. Similarly, people were injured in Kushinagar, Mirzapur, and Sonbhadra.