Sizzle may fizzle out after thunder Thursday: IMD

Lucknow: Even as entire state reeled under intense heat and Banda continuing to be hottest place in the country on Tuesday, relief is expected from Thursday as weatherman has predicted thunderstorms in several parts UP.Maximum temperature in Banda was 47.4 degrees Celsius followed by Orai 45.8, Jhansi 45.5, Prayagraj 45.4, Agra 45.3 and Hamirpur 45.2 degrees Celsius. Similar conditions will prevail on Wednesday.Meanwhile, Lucknow recorded maximum temperature 42.9 degrees Celsius, 2.8 degrees above normal, while minimum settled at 28.3 degrees Celsius, also 2.8 degrees above normal. No change in hot conditions is expected in the city on Wednesday.UP, however, is likely to get relief from the prevailing heatwave over next few days, as IMD forecast thunderstorms, gusty winds and light to heavy rainfall across several parts of the state from May 28.Change in weather conditions is expected to bring down daytime temperatures that have remained well above normal in many districts over past week. At the same time, increased moisture following the rainfall may lead to humid and sultry conditions across large parts of the state.According to officials at IMD’s Lucknow centre, fresh western disturbance is approaching the Pakistan-Punjab-Haryana region, while a cyclonic circulation persists over Bihar, Jharkhand and eastern UP. Moisture-laden easterly winds from Bay of Bengal are also advancing towards the state, creating favourable conditions for widespread thunderstorm activity and rainfall.IMD Lucknow senior scientist Mohammad Danish said, “Interaction of western disturbance with easterly moisture-laden winds from Bay of Bengal is likely to trigger thunderstorms, lightning and rainfall activity in many districts of the state over next few days. This will provide relief from heatwave conditions, though humidity levels are expected to rise after rainfall.”Weather department has issued thunderstorm alerts across the state, with wind speeds likely to reach 50-80 kmph in isolated areas. Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra and Ghaziabad may witness lightning and rainfall, while eastern districts such as Prayagraj, Sonbhadra and Ballia could receive heavier showers.