Chandigarh: Widespread rainfall across Punjab, particularly in districts bordering Himachal Pradesh, brought a welcome respite from the recent spell of heat on Tuesday, with temperatures falling further below the seasonal average. Chandigarh and Pathankot witnessed steady rainfall, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of more intense showers during the day.
According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, the state’s maximum temperature dropped by around 0.6 degrees Celsius, leaving it 2.6 degrees below normal. Pathankot has been receiving rain since Monday night, while Chandigarh experienced heavy showers from the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The weather office has issued an Orange Alert for heavy rainfall across several parts of Punjab. Most districts recorded maximum temperatures below 35.6 degrees Celsius, with Bathinda remaining the hottest location in the state despite the overall cooling trend.
Rainfall is expected in nearly 20 districts during the day. Of these, 11 districts have been placed under a heavy rainfall warning.
The IMD has forecast heavy to very heavy rain, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, at isolated locations in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), Rupnagar, and Mohali. Meanwhile, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala are also expected to receive heavy showers.
Meteorologists have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly in low-lying areas where waterlogging could occur. People have also been urged to avoid taking shelter under trees during thunderstorms and to exercise caution while travelling on roads affected by reduced visibility and slippery conditions.
The rainfall has helped ease daytime temperatures across much of the state, although humidity levels remain relatively high in some regions. Weather officials expect intermittent showers to continue over the next few days as the active monsoon system remains in place across northwestern India.
The latest spell of rain has also offered temporary relief to agricultural areas, where paddy cultivation is underway, while authorities continue to monitor the situation in districts likely to receive intense precipitation.
