Lucknow Receives Heavy Rainfall, Schools Closed as IMD Issues Weather Alert

Lucknow: Lucknow received significant rainfall over the past 24 hours, with the city's airport meteorological station recording 86.6 mm of rain in 12 hours, in addition to 10.5 mm recorded during the preceding period.

The weather department has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall at several places in Uttar Pradesh, with isolated extremely heavy rainfall possible in some areas. Authorities have also warned of a risk of flash flooding in vulnerable areas.

Following the weather conditions, teaching activities were suspended on September 26 in government, aided and private schools from pre-primary to Class 12 across urban and rural areas, according to the reported administrative directions. Higher educational, technical, professional colleges, polytechnics and ITIs were also included in the directions.

Lucknow recorded a maximum temperature of 23.5°C and a minimum temperature of 22.4°C. The rainfall has also contributed to a drop in temperatures across the region.

Several districts of Uttar Pradesh recorded notable rainfall, including Banda with 146 mm, Bahraich with 103.6 mm, Barabanki with 62.4 mm, Hamirpur with 54 mm, Hardoi with 37 mm, Lakhimpur Kheri with 35 mm, Shahjahanpur with 33.8 mm and Kanpur City with 32.2 mm.

According to the reported rainfall assessment, Uttar Pradesh has recorded an overall rainfall deficit of around 5 percent. East Uttar Pradesh has a deficit of about 9 percent, while west Uttar Pradesh has recorded around 2 percent surplus rainfall. Around 25 districts have reported deficit or large deficit rainfall, while 35 districts are in the normal category and 15 have recorded excess or large excess rainfall.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a red alert for eight districts of Uttar Pradesh: Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur. Orange and yellow alerts have also been issued for other districts based on the expected intensity of rainfall.

The weather system is also linked to a deep depression that crossed the north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha coast. The IMD has forecast rainfall over parts of west Uttar Pradesh during September 25–26 and over east Uttar Pradesh during the same period.

The monsoon withdrawal has also reportedly begun from parts of west Uttar Pradesh. Authorities and residents in vulnerable areas have been advised to remain alert, particularly where heavy rainfall may increase the risk of waterlogging and flash flooding.