Lucknow Floods Displace 300,000 as Ganga Erosion Destroys Homes; Rajasthan Nights Drop Below 20°C

Flood Impact

About 300,000 residents of Lucknow have been stranded as the Gomti River has overflowed for twelve consecutive days. The flooding has disrupted daily life across the city and forced authorities to relocate families to relief shelters.

Riverbank Erosion

In Bihar's Bhagalpur district, sudden bank erosion along the Ganga river damaged a 50‑metre stretch of embankment and completely destroyed four houses.

Weather Shifts

The monsoon return has created three distinct weather patterns across India. In northern states such as Rajasthan and Delhi, night temperatures have begun to fall, with eleven Rajasthan cities recording lows below 20 °C; Mount Abu recorded the lowest night reading at 14.2 °C. The western disturbance expected from 11 October may further lower daytime highs by 2–3 °C in the region. Central India, including Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, is experiencing rising daytime temperatures and high humidity, making the heat uncomfortable for residents. Rajasthan also sees a mixed picture: Friday’s maximum temperatures fell about one degree in Jaisalmer, Udaipur, Sirsi, Pratapgarh, Pilani and Chittorgarh, while Pilani and Churu still recorded highs of 38.8 °C and 38.7 °C respectively. Weather officials note that light rain and cloud cover may appear in parts of Bikaner, Jaipur and five other districts, offering limited relief from the heat.

Context

A western disturbance is a weather system that brings cooler air and occasional rain to northern India during the transition season. River flooding in Lucknow is linked to prolonged monsoon rains that raise water levels in the Gomti. Sudden riverbank erosion, like that in Bhagalpur, often follows high water flow that weakens embankments.