Lucknow: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a 'red alert' for regions of western Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, predicting heavy to extremely heavy downpours over the coming 24 hours as intensifying monsoon weather claimed at least seven lives and disrupted daily life across the state.

The fatalities were recorded across Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Bulandshahr, Shamli, and Ghaziabad in separate rain-related incidents, according to officials.

According to the Regional Meteorological Centre in Lucknow, very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is probable in the districts of Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Amroha, Moradabad, Rampur, Bareilly, Pilibhit, Sambhal, and Badaun, whilst heavy to very heavy rain is forecast for multiple other districts across western and central Uttar Pradesh.

The weather service indicated that widespread rainfall is anticipated across the state until 11 July, with temperatures expected to drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next two to three days.

In response to the IMD's heavy rainfall forecast, the Ghaziabad district administration ordered all schools across all educational boards to remain closed on Friday.

Lucknow recorded 27.2 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Thursday. The maximum temperature settled at 33 degrees Celsius, which is 1.9 degrees below the seasonal average, whilst the minimum temperature was 27.2 degrees Celsius, 1.2 degrees above average. Relative humidity reached 94 per cent, and the city is forecast to experience intermittent rain and thundershowers over the next 24 hours. The IMD has issued warnings for heavy rain over Lucknow and its surrounding areas.

The IMD stated that monsoon activity has intensified due to the passage of a low-pressure system over northwest Madhya Pradesh and an associated upper-air cyclonic circulation. This system is projected to track north-northeastwards over the next 24 hours, boosting rainfall across Uttar Pradesh.

The department urged residents in districts under red and orange alerts to exercise caution, warning that intense precipitation could cause waterlogging, poor visibility, travel disruptions, and localised flooding. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are also anticipated across many areas of the state.

With inputs from PTI