Uttar Pradesh Weather Alert: Orange Alert Issued for Rain, Hail, and Storms in 58 Districts; Winds May Exceed 70 km/h

IMD warns of severe weather across UP for the next 48 hours; 58 districts under thunderstorm alert, large hailstones damage property in Pilibhit.

Intense Weather Conditions Grip Uttar Pradesh; IMD Issues Statewide Alerts

Lucknow, May 6 The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for 33 districts of Uttar Pradesh warning of high-velocity winds reaching speeds of 60–70 km/h, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and the possibility of hailstorms. In total, 58 districts are under warning for light to moderate rainfall and lightning activity over the next two days.

The sudden atmospheric volatility is being driven by a strong western disturbance, the collision of easterly and westerly winds, and moisture-laden currents from the Bay of Bengal, according to meteorologist Dr. Manoj Srivastava.

Large Hailstones, Storms Cause Damage in Multiple Cities

On Sunday evening, the weather took a dramatic turn across eastern and western UP, with rain and hailstorms recorded in more than 10 cities, including:

• Pilibhit: Witnessed hailstones weighing up to 50 grams, causing damage to vehicles and rooftops.

• Jaunpur, Varanasi, Gazipur, Shahjahanpur: Received rain and hail, with waterlogging reported in low-lying areas.

• Hapur: Experienced such dark cloud cover during the day that visibility dropped, followed by intense rainfall.

• Sonbhadra, Bahraich, and Balrampur: Saw dust storms and high-speed winds, causing trees to topple in parts.

As per meteorological estimates, this severe weather pattern will persist for the next 48 hours, posing risks to life, livestock, agriculture, and infrastructure.

District-Wise Weather Warnings: Orange and Yellow Alerts Orange Alert (60–70 km/h winds, lightning, hail)

Issued for 33 districts where the risk of severe thunderstorm activity is highest.

Yellow Alert (40–50 km/h winds, moderate rain, lightning)

Applies to the following 58 districts, where gusty winds and rain are likely:

• Eastern UP: Banda, Chitrakoot, Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Sant Ravidas Nagar, Jaunpur, Gazipur, Azamgarh, Mau, Ballia, Deoria, Gorakhpur, Sant Kabir Nagar, Basti, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar

• Central & Terai Belt: Gonda, Balrampur, Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Barabanki, Ayodhya, Ambedkar Nagar

• Western UP: Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat, Kanpur Nagar, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Bulandshahr, Aligarh, Hathras, Mainpuri, Bijnor, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur

• Others: Amethi, Rae Bareli, Unnao, Hardoi, Farrukhabad, Etawah, Firozabad, Mathura

The IMD has warned that strong winds may damage weak structures, disrupt traffic, and affect crops in vulnerable districts.

Temperature Drop, Weather Pattern Explained

Due to widespread cloud cover and rainfall, daytime temperatures across UP have dropped by 2–3°C, bringing temporary relief from heat:

• Maximum temperatures have fallen below seasonal averages in several cities.

• Meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh from IMD Lucknow explains that this is the result of a dry trough stretching from southwest Rajasthan to Kerala, along with a powerful western disturbance interacting with humid easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal.

This combination of opposing wind systems is responsible for the ongoing weather instability and increased convective activity in the atmosphere.

CM Yogi Directs Relief and Disaster Preparedness

Recognizing the severity of the situation, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed district officials to remain on high alert in areas experiencing hailstorms, lightning, and storms. His directives include:

• Rapid survey of affected areas

• Immediate compensation to those affected by loss of life, livestock, or property

• Timely medical care for injured individuals

• Deployment of disaster relief teams in high-risk zones

Local administrations have been instructed to coordinate with weather agencies and ensure real-time updates reach the public.

Conclusion

With 33 districts under Orange Alert and 58 districts on storm watch, Uttar Pradesh is currently under significant weather threat. The IMD continues to monitor developments closely, warning of continued rainfall, hailstorms, and strong winds through May 7.

Citizens are urged to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms, secure loose structures, and stay updated via official IMD and local administration channels. The public’s cooperation and timely preparedness will be crucial to minimizing damage and ensuring safety during this period of extreme weather.