After nearly a month of dry conditions, Uttar Pradesh witnessed a dramatic shift in weather patterns on Monday as widespread rainfall lashed several districts including Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, and Varanasi. The showers, triggered by a cyclonic system from the Bay of Bengal, brought both relief and concern easing pollution levels but damaging standing crops across parts of the state.
For the first time since Dussehra, dark clouds blanketed Purvanchal and central regions, bringing down temperatures by 2–3°C. In Jhansi and Jalaun, heavy rain began early in the day, while cities such as Kanpur and Lucknow experienced intermittent drizzle. Winds blowing at around 10 kmph added a noticeable chill to the air, signalling an early transition towards post-monsoon weather.
According to senior meteorological officials, the system responsible for the rainfall is expected to persist for the next three days, bringing intermittent rain across all 75 districts of the state. The prolonged dry spell had caused moisture stress in agricultural belts, and while the current rainfall will recharge groundwater in some areas, it has also affected crops nearing harvest. Farmers in Bundelkhand and central UP reported lodging and waterlogging in paddy fields, which may delay the sowing of Rabi crops.
Jhansi recorded the sharpest change, with the maximum temperature dipping to 31.6°C nearly 2°C below normal and the minimum settling at 20.9°C. In Kanpur, light showers began by late morning, offering temporary relief from pollution but also creating traffic snarls in low-lying areas. Varanasi, Mathura, and Badaun too reported patchy rains, while residents were seen carrying umbrellas and donning raincoats after weeks of sunshine.
Data from the meteorological department show that Uttar Pradesh received near-normal rainfall during the June–September monsoon season, totalling 743.9 mm against an average of 746.2 mm. However, since October, the state had been facing an extended dry phase until the current system revived rainfall activity. Experts suggest that changing wind patterns, coupled with a low-pressure formation over eastern India, redirected moisture-laden clouds toward central and western UP, causing the unexpected downpour.
While the sudden rain has disrupted pre-Diwali market activity in parts of Jhansi and Varanasi, it has also brought temporary improvement in air quality levels. Environmental experts note that even short spells of rain can help settle suspended particulates, offering cleaner air in the days ahead.For now, meteorological authorities continue to maintain a rain alert across Uttar Pradesh, urging farmers and residents to remain cautious as fluctuating weather may persist through the week.
Uttar Pradesh Sees Heavy Rain After 25-Day Dry Spell Across Cities
