Uttar Pradesh is experiencing intense monsoon rainfall due to a new weather system formed over the Bay of Bengal and the influence of a Western Disturbance, disrupting normal life. The Meteorological Department has issued a 'Red Alert' for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall across more than 35 districts.

Heavy rainfall in Uttar Pradesh driven by a Bay of Bengal weather system.

Red Alert issued for over 35 districts; schools and colleges closed.

Temperatures have dropped due to the rain; crops have also suffered damage.

Lucknow: Intense monsoon rains are lashing Uttar Pradesh due to a new weather system over the Bay of Bengal and an active Western Disturbance. The spell of rain, which began on Thursday night, continued into Friday. Normal life has been disrupted by continuous rainfall over the past 36 hours across most areas of the Terai and Purvanchal regions, as well as in Lucknow and its neighboring districts.

The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in more than 35 districts for Saturday. Strong winds blowing at speeds of 40 to 50 km/h and lightning strikes are also anticipated in these districts during this period. In view of the heavy rainfall, orders have been issued to keep schools and colleges closed in the capital and the districts under the 'Red Alert'.

According to senior meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh, the scope of rainfall across the state will expand further on Saturday. The rain has caused a sharp drop in temperatures across most areas, bringing them well below normal levels. Lucknow recorded its second-coldest September 25th in history; the day's temperature stood at 23.7°C, while the minimum temperature dropped to 22.4°C. Previously, a maximum temperature of 23°C was recorded on September 25, 2007.

Meanwhile, Barabanki recorded the lowest temperature in the state at 23°C. A combination of light rain and cool winds gave both cities a weather feel reminiscent of November. The capital recorded 86.6 mm of rainfall by 6 PM on Friday. Maximum temperatures remained below normal in approximately 40 districts. Warnings for extremely heavy rainfall have been issued for Shravasti, Bahraich, Lakhimpur Kheri, Sitapur, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, and Shahjahanpur.

Meanwhile, alerts for heavy to very heavy rainfall are in place for Basti, Siddharthnagar, Gonda, Balrampur, Hardoi, Lucknow, Barabanki, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, Sambhal, and Budaun. The Meteorological Department states that the impact of the rainfall is likely to persist until Sunday. Weather conditions may begin to improve from Monday, with a likelihood of sunshine. The process of the monsoon's withdrawal from the state is set to begin in the first week of October.

**Rainfall Spells Trouble for Farmers**
Rain accompanied by cyclonic winds during the 'Hathiya Nakshatra' has caused significant damage to crops. Farmers cultivating sesame, sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), black gram (urad), and green gram (moong) are likely to face the greatest difficulties. Early-sown paddy crops have also lodged (fallen over). Dr. Satyendra Kumar Singh, an agricultural expert at Chandrabhanu Gupta Agricultural College, noted that the rainfall is also affecting the sowing of *toriya* (an early-maturing mustard variety).

Farmers typically complete *toriya* sowing by the last week of September, a task that has not yet been accomplished. Strong winds have damaged sorghum and pearl millet crops, causing plants to snap. Additionally, waterlogging has adversely affected crops such as pumpkin, ridge gourd, bottle gourd, and bitter gourd.