Monsoon Moves In: Over 50 Uttar Pradesh Districts on Alert
The skies over Uttar Pradesh finally cracked open with the arrival of the monsoon, officially confirmed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on June 18, 2025. This wasn't just ordinary drizzle. The IMD has taken the unusual step of alerting 51 districts for heavy, at times torrential, rainfall. Urban hubs like Noida and Ghaziabad are firmly in the crosshairs, but it's practically the entire state that's been told to brace for a stormy ride.
Before the main wet season kicked in, pre-monsoon showers had already left their mark. These early bursts brought welcome relief from the intense summer heat but also delivered some surprises: temperatures in Lucknow swung wildly, with highs touching nearly 39°C and lows dipping dramatically from 37°C to 27°C within just a day. Steamy, muggy evenings quickly gave way to cool, damp mornings. This kind of rollercoaster weather has become a familiar opening act for full-blown monsoon action in North India.
IMD Prediction, Safety Risks, and What Comes Next
According to IMD scientist Mohammad Danish, the monsoon's march across India usually follows a set timetable, moving northward about three weeks after blanketing Kerala. True to form, the clouds landed right on schedule this year. However, it's the changing nature of these downpours that's making authorities jittery. The IMD isn't just forecasting rain—it's predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and wind gusts up to 40 km/h. If you've ever watched the sky glow and listened for rumbles, you're about to get plenty of both.
The most intense rainfall is targeting eastern Uttar Pradesh, but nobody is out of the woods. Thunderstorms and lightning strikes are possible right across the state. The department has been blunt about what people living in low-lying areas might face: surface runoff and pockets of flooding are real threats when the ground is already saturated. City officials in places like Noida, Ghaziabad, and even Lucknow are on alert, especially since these urban areas are notorious for waterlogged streets whenever the drainage can't keep up.
If you're in Uttar Pradesh, double-check those umbrellas and be wary of venturing out during heavy showers. Listen for weather updates, especially if lightning is in the forecast. And keep an eye on your neighbourhood if you live in a low-lying area; quick action can make a real difference when rain piles up fast. With the monsoon here in force, all eyes are on the skies—and on the ground, as communities get ready for whatever the rains might deliver next.