IMD Issues Orange Alert For Rain In Lucknow, Meerut And Moradabad As Storms Lash UP

The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for western Uttar Pradesh, forecasting rain, thunderstorms and strong winds with potential hail. The advisory covers several districts, signalling travel disruptions and specific farming precautions to reduce crop losses while authorities urge public caution.

Sudden weather changes on Tuesday brought dark skies and strong winds to many parts of Uttar Pradesh, with several western districts seeing near-night conditions by afternoon. The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for the next three hours for multiple districts, warning of rain, thunderstorms, wind speeds of 40-60 KMPH and possible hail.

Rain, gusty winds and thunder began early in many areas, offering some relief from intense heat but also disrupting daily activities. People travelling for work or business were forced to halt journeys and stay indoors as visibility dropped and streets emptied for some time due to the severe spell.

UP weather orange alert and thunderstorm forecast

According to the forecast issued on 12 May, the India Meteorological Department expects western disturbance activity to continue for the coming days over Uttar Pradesh. As a result, officials anticipate recurring spells of rain, thunderstorms, strong winds and hail in several regions, especially over western parts of the state.

In Moradabad division, including Moradabad, Bijnor, Rampur, Amroha and Sambhal, dense black clouds built up on Tuesday morning and turned day into near darkness. Thunder, lightning and heavy showers combined with high wind speeds led to a brief standstill in movement as residents stayed inside homes and shops.

UP weather orange alert impact on transport and farming

Road traffic faced major problems during the stormy period, as low visibility and slippery surfaces made driving difficult. Many vehicle drivers stopped at the roadside or remained where they were until the rain and wind weakened. The spell eased heat stress but increased concern for orchard owners and farmers across affected districts.

Meteorologists reported that a trough of westerly winds and cyclonic circulation in upper air layers triggered the unstable conditions. These systems produced thunderstorms with wind speeds of 15-30 kilometres per hour in several locations, forcing residents in many neighbourhoods to stay indoors for safety.

Authorities advised the public not to go outside unnecessarily during adverse weather and requested people remain away from trees and electric poles during thunder and lightning. Officials also suggested that tourists heading towards popular destinations should check accurate weather updates before starting their trips, especially in western Uttar Pradesh.

UP weather orange alert guidelines for farmers

Weather experts urged farmers to take extra care to reduce losses from heavy rain and unstable conditions. Specialists recommended arranging proper drainage in fields of fruits and vegetables to prevent waterlogging, and tying tall crops such as sugarcane together to support plants against strong winds and limit lodging.

Advisories further asked farmers to temporarily pause irrigation, and to delay application of fertilisers and pesticides in open fields. This pause aims to avoid wastage and reduce possible financial damage if heavy showers wash away inputs or if strong winds and hail affect standing crops over the next few days.

UP weather orange alert district-wise warnings

The orange alert for the next three hours covers several districts where moderate rain with thunder, lightning, sudden strong winds at 40-60 KMPH and hail are possible. These include Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur, Bahraich, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Badaun and nearby areas, according to the latest bulletin issued by the India Meteorological Department.

Another set of districts may see light rain with thunder, lightning and a sharp rise in wind speed to 30-40 KMPH. These locations include Kasganj, Ayodhya, Lucknow, Barabanki, Hardoi, Farrukhabad, Sitapur, Bahraich, Gonda, Shravasti, Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Rampur, Badaun, Sambhal, Amroha, Moradabad, Meerut, Bijnor, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur and nearby regions.

With western disturbance remaining active over Uttar Pradesh, weather agencies expect spells of rain, thunder, dust storms and hail to continue in parts of the state for several days. People and farmers in the alerted districts are likely to gain some heat relief but also face local disruptions and crop risks as conditions stay unstable.