Massive Rainfall Brings UP to a Standstill
The monsoon season has gone into overdrive across Uttar Pradesh, hitting the state with some of the heaviest rainfall it has seen this year. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has put over 40 districts on red alert, signaling a critical flood situation for millions. Eastern UP is bearing the brunt, but the entire region isn’t spared as orange alerts stretch across both eastern and western areas, plunging cities and villages into chaos.
Districts like Gyanpur in Bhadohi and Nighasan in Kheri have recorded a whopping 12 cm of rain, nearly flooding all local infrastructure within hours. Karvi (Chitrakoot) and Pratapgarh are just behind with 11 cm each, while Aligarh’s Gabhana logged 10 cm. Rain shows no signs of letting up, as IMD predicts the deluge to continue for at least another day or two.
Floods, School Shutdowns, and Citywide Rescue Efforts
Anyone walking through major UP cities like Kanpur, Lucknow, or Ayodhya right now would struggle to imagine the familiar streets under so much water. In these hotspots, roads have disappeared under brown streams, cars are up to their windows in water, and local businesses are shuttered. For many, it isn’t about getting to work — it’s about staying dry and safe.
Schools in Lucknow, from nursery to class 12, were shut as a precaution on August 4. This wasn’t a random decision; classrooms and school grounds are flooded, making it risky for children to step out. Officials expect that other districts may soon follow with similar orders if the rain continues.
The state government has moved fast, deploying personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Boats and ropes are now a common sight on the roads as emergency teams pull stranded people from submerged neighborhoods. Viral videos show teams rescuing families from vehicles in Kanpur and Lakhimpur Kheri or bringing supplies to trapped residents in Varanasi and Agra.
The impact is visible: people are sleeping on rooftops, electricity outages are frequent, and low-lying homes face water pouring in. The health sector is also stretched, with flooded primary health centers and rain-damaged roads slowing down ambulances.
The IMD’s alerts are clear in their seriousness. Gonda, Bahraich, Sitapur, and Barabanki — along with several surrounding districts — are in the highest risk category. Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and others from Mathura to Pilibhit are on orange alert, meaning dangerous conditions but not as severe as the red zones.
Behind the scenes, meteorologists blame the persistent rainfall on two main factors: a monsoon trough that’s shifted north, hugging cities like Lucknow, Kanpur, and Ayodhya, and a cyclonic circulation that’s anchored itself over northeast Uttar Pradesh near Bihar. This combination squeezes the most rain out of humid atmospheric conditions right onto the state. As a result, the monsoon deficit — which had been running at a 6% shortfall — is quickly closing, now down to just 4%.
If the forecast holds, heavy rain won’t be leaving any time soon. Authorities are urging everyone in affected areas to stay home, keep emergency contacts ready, and watch for further updates. With entire neighborhoods already waterlogged, the next 36 hours could be even more challenging.