Varanasi: The holy city received significant rainfall on Wednesday, bringing much needed relief from the humid and sultry weather that had been troubling residents for several days. The showers improved weather conditions across the city and brought down the temperature, making the atmosphere pleasant. On the other hand, the heavy downpour led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas, causing inconvenience to commuters and local residents.Rainfall activity in the city has improved since Tuesday morning. Light showers gradually intensified as the day progressed and by Wednesday, the city witnessed heaviest rainfall of the season so far. It was welcomed by people across the district, especially farmers, who were waiting for stronger monsoon activity to support agricultural work. The showers also helped revive hopes of better crop conditions in rural belts around Varanasi.Despite the relief, civic problems surfaced in many parts of the city. Several roads and lanes were submerged due to poor drainage and continuous rain. Waterlogging was seen in several areas. Residents in low-lying localities faced difficulty in movement, while two-wheeler riders and pedestrians were among the worst affected. In some areas, traffic slowed down as vehicles had to pass through waterlogged stretches.Over the past two days, Kashi recorded more than 60 mm rainfall. The fresh spell improved the city’s seasonal rain figures, but the overall rainfall remains below normal. According to the Meteorological Department, Kashi has received 231 mm rain so far this season, against the normal expected rainfall of 407 mm, indicating that the region is still facing a rainfall deficit despite the recent showers.The Meteorological Department has forecast more rain over the next five days. Atul Kumar Singh, senior scientist at the UP Regional Meteorological Centre, said the monsoon trough has shifted north of its normal position. He said strong monsoon currents are active over the Gangetic plains, creating favourable conditions for widespread rain. Active monsoon conditions are likely to continue over UP, with heavy rainfall expected in several parts of the state over the next two to three days. The fresh spell is expected to improve rainfall levels, though urban areas may continue to face waterlogging if drainage issues persist.
