Severe Weather Hits Uttar Pradesh: Heavy Rain, Hail, Lightning Cause Damage

March 20, 2026

Lucknow: The weather in Uttar Pradesh took a sudden turn for the worse on Friday. In Lucknow, sudden darkness descended at 10:00 AM. Rain began, accompanied by strong winds, and hail also fell in some areas. Prior to this, heavy rainfall had also occurred in Prayagraj and Mathura.

Dust storms led to waterlogging on roads in several locations. Schoolchildren and office-goers were seen stepping out equipped with raincoats and umbrellas.

Intermittent Rainfall Across More Than 25 Districts

Intermittent rainfall is being witnessed across more than 25 districts, including Kanpur, Noida, Agra, Aligarh, and Meerut. Kashi also experienced rain accompanied by drizzles, thunder, and lightning. At the ghats, shopkeepers packed up their merchandise and headed home. In Ayodhya, pea-sized hailstones fell alongside the rain.

Damage to Power Infrastructure and Crops

Two farmers lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Prayagraj and Mirzapur. In many places, standing wheat crops were devastated. Mustard and potato crops also face the risk of damage.

Inclement Weather Attributed to Western Disturbance

According to the Meteorological Department, the weather in the state has deteriorated due to the activation of a Western Disturbance. The inclement weather is expected to persist for the next two days. Wind speeds are forecast to reach up to 40 km/h.