Varanasi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a red alert for Varanasi after intense rainfall, lightning and strong winds lashed the city on Monday night, prompting the district administration to declare a holiday for students of Classes 1 to 8 on Tuesday.According to the weathermen, Varanasi recorded 50 mm of rain in just one hour on Monday night, while the 24-hour rainfall total reached 128 mm. The heavy downpour, accompanied by thunder and lightning, triggered severe waterlogging across several parts of the city and caused panic among residents.Godowlia, Ravindrapuri, Assi, Mahmoorganj and the BHU hospital campus were among the areas badly affected. Saket Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and adjoining localities also witnessed severe waterlogging, causing particular difficulties for students living in rented accommodation and hostels.Residents said water entered several low-lying areas, forcing people to wade through flooded streets. They complained that while the municipal corporation responded after waterlogging occurred, a permanent solution to the city’s drainage problems remained elusive.Rainfall between 9pm and 10pm on Monday was particularly intense, with several roads getting waterlogged within around 20 minutes. Traffic movement was severely affected in Cantt, Sunderpur, Lahartara, Manduadih, Chandpur, Rath Yatra and adjoining areas.According to meteorologists, the monsoon trough was passing over Varanasi and adjoining Purvanchal areas. The interaction between easterly and westerly winds over the region had intensified rainfall activity.Atul Kumar Singh, senior scientist at the UP Regional Meteorological Centre, said the eastern end of the monsoon trough was passing over Kashi and Purvanchal. He said the trough extending from Uttar Pradesh to a low-pressure area had strengthened monsoon activity across the state.Heavy rainfall is likely at some places over the next two days, while isolated areas may receive very heavy rain during the next 24 hours. Rainfall intensity may subsequently decrease in western parts of Uttar Pradesh as westerly winds become more active.Weather experts advised residents to remain cautious, particularly while travelling through low-lying and waterlogged areas.
