Chandigarh: Rainfall activity has picked up across Punjab and Chandigarh, with Pathankot receiving showers since late Tuesday night and Chandigarh witnessing rain from the early hours of Wednesday. The Meteorological Centre has warned of further rainfall during the day, particularly in parts of northern Punjab.
The latest spell comes a day after Chandigarh recorded an intense downpour of 72.4 mm in just two hours, triggering waterlogging at several locations across the Tricity.
Yellow alert for Punjab, Chandigarh likely to remain cloudy
A Yellow Alert remains in place for August 19, with the weather office forecasting heavy rain at isolated places in Pathankot and Hoshiarpur. Thunderstorms and lightning may accompany the heavier showers.
Chandigarh is expected to remain under cloudy skies, with additional spells of rain possible. Several other districts are also likely to receive light to moderate showers.
Rainfall has been forecast at various locations in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala and Mohali. Similar conditions may develop in parts of Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, Mansa and Sangrur.
Isolated light to moderate showers are also possible in Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar and Bathinda.
72.4 mm rain in Chandigarh
The intensity of Tuesday’s rainfall was particularly notable in Chandigarh, where 72.4 mm of rain fell within two hours. The downpour led to water accumulation at several points in Chandigarh and adjoining areas.
The rainfall also brought some relief from the prevailing heat, although Punjab’s average maximum temperature registered a marginal increase.
Bathinda recorded the state’s highest maximum temperature at 37.4°C, with the overall maximum temperature rising by around 0.1°C.
Multiple weather systems driving rainfall
According to Surendra Pal, Director of the Meteorological Centre, several atmospheric systems are currently influencing the region.
A cyclonic circulation is positioned over northern Haryana and adjoining areas at about 0.9 km above sea level, while another upper-air circulation is located over Punjab and neighbouring regions.
The monsoon trough is also passing close to Punjab. In addition, a trough extending from eastern Uttar Pradesh towards Gujarat through northern Madhya Pradesh and southeastern Rajasthan is contributing to the prevailing weather pattern.
These systems are expected to keep rainfall activity alive over Punjab and Chandigarh in the coming days.
Rain may continue after August 20
Although no specific weather alert has been issued for the five days after August 20, the weather department expects intermittent rain to continue in parts of Punjab and Chandigarh.
Residents in areas prone to waterlogging are likely to face further disruption if intense showers occur over short periods, particularly in urban areas where drainage systems may come under pressure.
