Chandigarh: Intermittent rain across Chandigarh, Mohali and parts of Punjab has brought a brief respite from the prevailing heat, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more showers over the next few days before monsoon activity weakens again.
Heavy rainfall during the night led to the uprooting of trees in Chandigarh’s Sector 39, causing minor disruptions. Drizzle continued in Mohali through the morning, while civic teams remained on alert to clear affected roads and ensure smooth traffic movement.
The Chandigarh Meteorological Centre has issued a rainfall alert for seven districts, including Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur, where moderate rainfall is likely during the day. Residents have been advised to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying areas that are vulnerable to waterlogging.
Although temperatures across Punjab increased marginally over the past 24 hours, they continue to remain below the seasonal average due to recent rainfall. Faridkot recorded the state’s highest daytime temperature at 42.4 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh experienced one of the coolest days in the region after rain pushed the maximum temperature down to 28 degrees Celsius, significantly below normal levels. However, several districts in southwest Punjab continued to witness hot and humid conditions as they received little or no rainfall.
Official rainfall data showed Chandigarh received the highest precipitation during the past 24 hours, followed closely by Chandigarh Airport and Mohali. Light showers were also recorded in Patiala, Sri Anandpur Sahib and areas around Bhakra Dam, while most other districts remained largely dry.
Meteorologists attributed the uneven rainfall pattern to the gradual northward shift of the monsoon trough toward the Himalayan foothills. As a result, dry northwesterly winds are expected to reduce moisture levels across Punjab, limiting widespread rainfall despite cloudy conditions.
Weather officials expect light to moderate rain to continue across parts of Punjab until July 12. From July 13 onwards, rainfall activity is likely to decline considerably, with only isolated areas expected to receive brief showers. As the monsoon weakens, daytime temperatures are forecast to rise steadily, bringing back warmer conditions across much of the state.
