Cool winds, drizzle, dust storm bring brief relief in city

Lucknow: A change in weather brought partial relief from soaring temperatures in the city on Sunday, as the city witnessed cloud cover, light drizzle and a dust storm late Sunday evening, after nearly one week of rising heat.

Residents in the city woke up on Sunday morning to a cool breeze and cloud cover. Brief spells of drizzle accompanied by thunder were reported in some areas. By afternoon, the sky cleared and there was strong sunshine. In late evening, gusty winds and a dust storm were reported in several parts of the city.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said light rain, thunder and lightning may be witnessed in Lucknow and several parts of UP from Mar 15-16.

According to IMD data, maximum temperature in Lucknow on Sunday was recorded at 31.6 degrees Celsius, which was 0.6 degrees below normal, while minimum temperature settled at 20.6 degrees Celsius, about 5.6 degrees above normal. Maximum temperature on Monday is expected to remain around 31-32 degrees Celsius, while minimum may hover near 21 degrees Celsius.

Meteorologist Mohammad Danish at IMD, Lucknow, said, "Weather conditions over UP are currently being influenced by a western disturbance over Pakistan and north Punjab and a cyclonic circulation over Haryana. Due to interaction of westerly and easterly winds, intermittent light rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms was recorded since last night in the northern Terai regions and adjoining central districts. This activity led to a fall in temperatures across most parts of the state.

"The impact of this weather system is likely to continue till Mar 16. Thereafter, dry weather conditions are expected during Mar 17-18, which may cause a slight rise in temperatures. Subsequently, under the influence of another active western disturbance, a fresh spell of rainfall is likely to begin over western UP from Mar 19 and may continue till Mar 21. This may again bring temperatures close to normal levels," he added.

In other parts of the state, higher temperatures were reported in the Bundelkhand region, where Banda and Fatehpur recorded 37.4 degrees Celsius, the highest in the state. The department also warned of isolated hailstorms in parts of eastern UP and the Terai region, including Gorakhpur and surrounding areas.