Chandigarh: After two consecutive days of weather warnings that failed to bring the anticipated relief, residents of Chandigarh and the surrounding Tricity region finally woke up to a dramatic change in weather on Saturday morning. Thick dark clouds blanketed the sky, strong cool winds swept across the region, and rainfall began shortly after sunrise, offering a welcome respite from the intense heatwave that had dominated the area throughout the week.
The change became evident around 7:30 a.m. when the sky turned overcast and visibility dimmed under dense cloud cover. By 8 a.m., light to moderate showers had started in several parts of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, bringing down temperatures and ending days of scorching conditions.
The weather development coincided with another red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which warned of thunderstorms accompanied by rain, hail, and powerful winds ranging between 50 and 80 kmph across the Tricity and neighbouring districts. Authorities advised residents to remain indoors, avoid taking shelter under trees, and stay away from vulnerable structures.
IPL Match Escapes Weather Disruption
Despite similar red alerts on Thursday and Friday, the forecasted storms largely bypassed the region, raising doubts among residents about the warnings. Friday’s IPL Qualifier 2 match at the PCA International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh proceeded without interruption as weather conditions remained stable throughout the evening.
The clash between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals concluded successfully, with Gujarat securing a place in the tournament final scheduled to be held in Ahmedabad. The storm activity predicted during match hours never materialised over the venue, allowing players and spectators to enjoy an uninterrupted contest.
Third Warning Finally Delivers
The latest weather system proved different from the previous two days. While earlier alerts failed to produce significant rainfall, Saturday’s forecast unfolded as expected. The Tricity witnessed rapidly developing cloud formations during the early morning hours, followed by gusty winds and showers that significantly improved weather conditions.
Meteorologists reported that Doppler Weather Radar observations indicated active thunderstorm cells moving towards the region. A nowcast issued early Saturday warned of severe weather activity within a few hours, including lightning, hail, and strong winds.
Large Parts of Punjab Under Storm Watch
Weather officials also extended warnings to a broad stretch of Punjab. Areas including Mohali, Kharar, Rupnagar, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Nawanshahr, Anandpur Sahib, Batala, Mukerian, and several neighbouring towns were expected to experience severe thunderstorms accompanied by lightning, hail, and winds reaching up to 80 kmph.
Moderate storm activity was forecast for districts such as Fatehgarh Sahib, Rajpura, Dera Bassi, Khanna, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Ajnala, and Shahkot, while lighter thunderstorm conditions were likely over parts of Patiala, Moga, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, and Malerkotla.
Falling Night Temperatures Signal Weather Shift
A noticeable drop in night temperatures across Punjab and Haryana indicated that moisture-laden winds had begun influencing the region. Chandigarh recorded a minimum temperature of 23 degrees Celsius, considerably lower than previous nights. Mohali registered 24.2 degrees Celsius, while Gurugram witnessed one of the sharpest falls, with temperatures dropping by nearly seven degrees overnight.
Similar cooling trends were observed across several districts of Punjab and Haryana, suggesting the arrival of a more favourable weather pattern after days of oppressive heat.
Haryana Receives More Rain Than Punjab
Rainfall data collected by Saturday morning showed that Haryana received the bulk of the precipitation. Charkhi Dadri recorded the highest rainfall at 24.5 mm, followed by Karnal with 19 mm and Mahendragarh with 18.5 mm. Other districts including Gurugram, Nuh, Sonipat, Palwal, Mewat, and Sirsa also reported measurable rainfall.
Punjab, however, saw limited precipitation during the same period, with Bathinda recording only a small amount of rainfall.
What Lies Ahead
According to the IMD, Saturday is expected to remain active with scattered to widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds. Isolated locations could also experience heavy showers. Maximum temperatures in the Tricity are expected to stay around 39 degrees Celsius, while minimum temperatures may fall to nearly 20 degrees Celsius.
Weather activity is likely to weaken on Sunday, with only isolated showers anticipated and no major alerts in place. Forecasts indicate that dry conditions may return from early next week, potentially allowing temperatures to rise once again and triggering another spell of summer heat.
Safety Advisory Issued
Meteorological authorities have urged residents to exercise caution during thunderstorm activity. People have been advised to stay indoors during strong winds, avoid standing near trees, power lines, and water bodies, and seek shelter in secure buildings. Motorists are encouraged to stop at safe locations if visibility deteriorates, while farmers have been asked to temporarily suspend field operations and take measures to safeguard crops and harvested produce from potential storm damage.
The long-awaited rainfall has brought temporary relief to millions across the region, but weather experts caution that the respite may be short-lived as summer conditions are expected to regain strength in the coming days.
