Chandigarh: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an Orange Alert for Punjab and Chandigarh, forecasting continued rainfall across the region for the next seven days. While July recorded a 24% rainfall deficit, meteorological experts predict that the monsoon is poised to gain significant momentum in the first week of August, likely leading to a drop in temperatures after a slight 1°C increase over the past 24 hours.
Widespread Rainfall Across Districts
Heavy rainfall lashed several parts of the state on Wednesday and continued into Thursday morning. The downpour provided much-needed relief from humid conditions but also caused waterlogging in low-lying urban areas. Raikot (Ludhiana) and Malerkotla reported significant street flooding, disrupting daily commutes.
Rainfall recorded in the last 24 hours (in mm):
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Gurdaspur: 49.8 mm (Highest)
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Bathinda: 46.0 mm
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Chandigarh: 45.6 mm
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Mohali: 28.5 mm
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Faridkot: 23.0 mm
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Amritsar: 17.6 mm
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Thein Dam (Pathankot): 17.5 mm
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Ballowal Saunkhri: 15.3 mm
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KVK Pathankot: 8.5 mm
In Chandigarh, the cumulative rainfall from June 1 to July 29 stands at 337.2 mm, which remains 17.2% below the seasonal average.
Domestic Alert: Sanitation Workers’ Strike
In separate developments, a statewide “Punjab Bandh” has been called today by sanitation workers’ unions. The strike is expected to impact essential services, with a complete shutdown reported in nine districts. Residents are advised to stay updated on local municipal service disruptions and the operational status of public facilities.
