Thaindian News

Lucknow, June 29 (IANS) Pre-monsoon showers in parts of Uttar Pradesh Monday brought much-needed respite for people in the state, which had been reeling under intense heat for the last three months.
Met officials said thundershowers accompanied by cool winds were witnessed this morning in many districts, including Lucknow, Lakhimpur Kheri, Unnao, Faizabad, Sitapur and Rae Bareli.

While the pre-monsoon showers drenched several parts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, thundershowers were reported from isolated places in western Uttar Pradesh.

A drop in temperature was also recorded in districts that got per-monsoon showers Sunday.

As per the records of the met office, Shravasti district recorded the maximum rainfall of 88 mm.

“A dip in day temperature by five to 10 degrees Celsius has been recorded in various parts of the state following the per-monsoon showers,” said state met director J.P. Gupta.

“Taking into account such weather conditions, we expect the monsoon to arrive in the state by June 30,” he added.

The arrival of monsoon in the state has been delayed this year by about 15 days. It normally reaches Uttar Pradesh by June 15.

The delayed monsoon and severe heat conditions have become a cause of concern for farmers.

According to the state agriculture department, nearly 344,000 hectares of land was under cultivation for various crops last year before June 15. However, this year it has been reduced to just 253,000 hectares.

“Paddy crop would be badly hit by the prevailing weather conditions. In Uttar Pradesh and most parts of India, farmers depend on the rain-fed traditional method for transplanting paddy crops,” said agricultural scientist K.B. Trivedi.