Chandigarh: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast another spell of rain across Punjab and Chandigarh on August 2, issuing a heavy rainfall alert for the districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur. While these border districts are expected to receive intense showers, light to moderate rainfall is likely in many other parts of the state.
According to the weather department, Chandigarh is expected to remain under cloudy skies throughout the day, with intermittent rain and thundershowers likely at isolated locations. Despite recent rainfall, the state’s maximum temperature has increased slightly, returning to near-normal levels. Bathinda recorded the highest daytime temperature at 37 degrees Celsius.
The IMD has also placed the entire state under a yellow alert, warning of thunderstorms and lightning in several districts. Areas including Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala, Mohali and Nawanshahr are expected to receive scattered light to moderate showers. Similar weather conditions are likely in Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa.
Officials have advised residents to avoid open spaces during thunderstorms and remain cautious due to the possibility of lightning strikes.
Meteorological experts said weather conditions remain favourable for rainfall as the active monsoon trough continues to influence northern India, while a western disturbance over Himachal Pradesh is further supporting rain-bearing systems. The combined impact of these weather patterns is expected to keep skies over Punjab and Chandigarh cloudy, with intermittent rainfall over the next few days.
Despite the fresh spell of showers, Punjab continues to face a 33 per cent rainfall deficit during the current monsoon season compared to the seasonal average. Chandigarh, however, recorded around 10 per cent above-normal rainfall during July, offering some relief from the prolonged dry spell.
The continued heat and humidity have also driven up electricity consumption across the state. Power demand touched 14,241 MW, while Punjab’s generating stations supplied 4,732 MW. The remaining requirement was met through the central power pool and other sources as authorities worked to maintain an uninterrupted electricity supply.
Meanwhile, water levels in the Bhakra and Pong dams have risen due to rainfall in Himachal Pradesh but remain comfortably below danger levels. Officials said the Bhakra reservoir stood at 1,601.8 feet, while the Pong Dam recorded a water level of 1,341.16 feet. Authorities noted that future reservoir levels will depend on the intensity of rainfall in the catchment areas and water management decisions in the coming weeks.
