Thunderstorm brings relief from intense heatwave

Times News NetworkKanpur: City witnessed thuderstorm and rains in on intervening night of Thursday and Friday. Citizens got respite from intense heat which was baffling them fromlast ten days. On Friday, mercury dropped to 35.5 degree Celsius which was 5.4 degree Celsius below normal while minimum temperature in the night was recorded as 21.2degree Celsius which provided relief to residents. However the rainsenhanced the maximum humidity which was recorded at 78 percent.South – Eastern winds blew in the city at a speed of 9.8 to 13.8 kms perhour and gave a pleasant feel to the Kanpurites in the day time.According to the weather forecast received from the India MeteorologicalDepartment, on Saturday, the Kanpur Division is likely to experienceincreased movement of thunderclouds, accompanied by strong winds and apossibility of light rain.The IMD further expected that a drop of 3 to 5degrees in temperature is likely to be recorded this week. Though therewould be some relief from the heat but humid conditions are likely topersist. Weather expert of CSA university, Dr S Sunil Pandey, too predicted relief forKanpurites in coming days . He stated that IMD had predicted previously, that rainfall during the monsoon season was projected to be92%; however, this estimate has now been revised downward to 90%. The IMDhas stated that the 2026 monsoon is likely to be ‘below normal’—that is, less than average. A forecast of 90% could heighten concerns regardingagriculture, water reservoirs, and the rural economy.