IMD issues red, orange alerts for many UP districts, Yogi orders crop damage assessment

The IMD has warned of intense thunderstorms with hails and strong winds (50–60 kmph) in some pockets of Rae Bareli, Amethi, Sultanpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Ayodhya, Basti, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki, Gonda and adjoining areas. These districts are likely to witness hailstorms, lightning strikes, moderate rainfall and strong winds, posing risk to crops, power lines and temporary structures.

Also, moderate thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds (40–60 kmph) are likely in Mirzapur, Prayagraj, Sant Ravidas Nagar (Bhadohi), Varanasi, Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Ayodhya, Sant Kabir Nagar, Basti, Unnao, Lucknow, Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur, Bahraich, Gonda, Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur, Shravasti, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Pilibhit and parts of Rae Bareli, Amethi and Sultanpur districts.

These areas are likely to see localised disruptions amid light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms.

Experts warned of a widespread thunderstorm activity across central, eastern and north-western UP, gusty winds up to 60 kmph in some parts, isolated hail events in “red-alert” areas amid fluctuating temperatures due to clouds and rain.

They warned of continued light to moderate spells of rain in several districts.

With the changes in the weather at a critical stage for rabi crops, experts warned that strong winds pose a risk of lodging to the wheat crop.

They said that mustard, gram and pulses may suffer grain damage and quality loss due to rain or hailstorm. Then, vegetables and horticulture crops may face physical damage and fruit drop as well as per the warning.

In an advisory, the IMD said farmers should harvest mature crops immediately and store them safely. They should avoid spraying and field operations during storm activity and ensure proper drainage in fields, it said.