Lucknow: Monsoon arrives officially, expect good rainfall this year

LUCKNOW: Moderate rains marked the entry of the southwest monsoon into the state capital on Friday, five days ahead of the normal date.
Intermittent rainfall with a couple of heavy thundershowers with lightning is expected for the next two days in several parts of the state including Lucknow.

Weather remained pleasant due to overcast skies and drizzle all day on Friday. Some areas witnessed heavy showers, leading to waterlogging.
The maximum temperature was 28.2 degrees Celsius, 10 units below normal and minimum temperature was 25.3, two notches below normal.
Total 7mm rainfall was recorded from 8.30am till 5.30pm on Friday. The quantity increased at night.
Monsoon is expected to provide good rainfall this year. In fact, the city has already received impressive pre-monsoon rain this year. In June, total rainfall has amounted to 117.3mm so far, which is 269% more than the normal 31.8mm for the period.
Monsoon arrived in UP on June 13 but lost steam after covering east UP till Lucknow’s doorstep at Barabanki. The currents remained stalled for four days before formation of a low pressure area over southeast UP fuelled further advancement in the central, northern and southern parts of the state.
State Met director JP Gupta said that conditions are favourable for further advancement of monsoon into some parts of west UP on Saturday. Dense cumulonimbus high-speed low-level cloud movement is expected during the next two days over east UP, which may cause lightning. People, particularly in rural areas, are advised to take precautions while venturing out, he added.
It is for the third time in the past 15 years that monsoon has arrived on time or earlier than scheduled in the city. In 2008, it arrived on June 15 and in 2013, on June 16.