Unseasonal weather struck parts of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday evening. Heavy rain accompanied by b winds lashed more than 12 districts, bringing relief from the heat but also causing widespread damage due to storms and flooding. In Farrukhabad, dozens of trees were uprooted by the storm, while in Pilibhit, vegetable sacks were swept away by floodwaters in the markets. A unique scene unfolded in Kannauj, where some youths used a tractor trolley in a field as a makeshift swimming pool.
Farrukhabad Devastated by Storm, Power Poles Down
Farrukhabad district experienced a storm with winds reaching 70 kilometers per hour. Dozens of trees fell onto roads, disrupting traffic in several key areas. Numerous electricity poles were damaged, plunging many areas into darkness overnight. Local resident Ramniwas Gupta recounted, "The roof of my house started to fly away, the tin sheets from the veranda were tossed in the air. I kept the children locked inside and held onto the door myself."
Pilibhit Market Transformed into a River, Vegetables Submerged
Pilibhit's largest vegetable market, located on Barkheda Road, experienced severe waterlogging due to inadequate drainage. Sacks of pumpkins, bottle gourds, okra, and tomatoes were washed away from shops onto the streets. Traders reported losses exceeding 1.5 million rupees due to spoiled produce. Many small shopkeepers suffered significant losses. Trader Suresh Agarwal stated, "Despite repeated requests to the administration, no drainage arrangements were made."
Kannauj Youths Turn Trolley into Swimming Pool
While the rain caused havoc in many places, Kannauj's youth turned it into an opportunity for fun. In Banjarpur village, some boys, seeing rainwater accumulating in a tractor trolley in a field, converted it into a "local swimming pool." They swam, dived, and filmed their antics, which went viral on social media. Local resident Ramdeen chuckled, "Now city dwellers don't need swimming pools, the village trolley is enough!"
Rain Brings Relief, But Also Danger
Heavy rainfall was also reported in Lucknow, Kanpur, Barabanki, Hardoi, Shahjahanpur, Etawah, and Jalaun. While the rain lowered temperatures and provided relief from the heat, lightning strikes and waterlogging disrupted normal life. The Meteorological Department attributed this to pre-monsoon activity and warned of further heavy rain with b winds and lightning in the next 48 hours.
The state government has instructed all District Magistrates and municipal corporations to expedite relief efforts and clear waterlogging. Pumps have been deployed in several areas to drain water, and municipal teams are engaged in cleanup operations. The Disaster Management Department has also activated helpline numbers to handle potential crises.
