Lucknow: Several parts of Uttar Pradesh (UP) were lashed by thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and light to moderate rainfall on Monday morning, bringing mercury levels down further.The change in weather conditions was particularly reported from some parts of central and east UP, as well as a few places in the Terai belt bordering Nepal.The highest rainfall of 53 mm was recorded in Barabanki, followed by Gorakhpur 41 mm, Bahraich 39.7 mm, Lakhimpur Kheri 38 mm, Azamgarh 30.6 mm and Lucknow 14.8 mm. The rainfall was accompanied by thunder and gusty winds measuring between 40-60 km per hour.Though the rainfall was limited to several places, the cool wind it generated led to a drop in mercury levels across UP. The state was recording below-normal temperatures for the past five days due to thunderstorms at regular intervals. Monday’s change led to a further drop in mercury levels, particularly during the daytime.For example, maximum temperatures were recorded between 26-38 degrees Celsius. These temperatures were 2-12 units below normal. The minimum temperatures were also 1-5 degrees below normal. Normally, such temperatures are witnessed in the months of Feb and March.In Barabanki, the daytime mercury dropped to 26.5 degrees Celsius, 12.1 units below normal, while in Bareilly it was 28.5 degrees Celsius, 10.1 notches below normal, and in Aligarh 29 degrees Celsius, 10 degrees below normal.Experts at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Lucknow, predicted that more thunderstorms may occur in some parts of west UP and at many places in the East and Central over the next few days. They also issued a warning of lightning, hail and gusty winds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places.Mohammad Danish, senior scientist, IMD, Lucknow, explained that the current weather conditions are due to a trough (an elongated low-pressure area) passing over UP and a western disturbance (WD) approaching Punjab and west UP.Meanwhile, in the state capital, residents witnessed dark, overcast skies on Monday morning, forcing commuters to switch on vehicle headlights in broad daylight. The change in weather disrupted routine movement across the city.It also led to a sharp fall in temperature, with the maximum settling around 29 degrees Celsius, nearly 10 degrees below normal.
