Chandigarh: Monsoon activity intensified across parts of Punjab on Thursday, with Jalandhar receiving heavy rainfall while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a heavy rain alert for seven districts. The advisory covers Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala, and SAS Nagar (Mohali), where isolated spells of heavy rain are likely during the day.
Chandigarh, meanwhile, is expected to witness partly cloudy skies, with the possibility of light rain or thundershowers in isolated areas.
Despite intermittent rainfall, the state’s maximum temperature has increased by 2.1 degrees Celsius, bringing it close to seasonal averages. Bathinda recorded the highest daytime temperature in Punjab at 39.2°C.
Barnala Receives Highest Rainfall
Rainfall was reported from several districts over the past 24 hours, with Barnala recording the highest precipitation at 12 mm. Amritsar received 6 mm of rain, while Gurdaspur recorded 2 mm. Fatehgarh Sahib and Ludhiana each received 1.5 mm, whereas Pathankot reported only trace rainfall.
Weather Systems Keeping Monsoon Active
According to Surendra Pal, Director of the Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh, multiple weather systems are influencing conditions across the region. The monsoon trough remains active over northern India, a western disturbance continues to impact weather patterns, and a low-pressure circulation over Uttar Pradesh and Haryana has further increased moisture levels.
These developments are expected to trigger light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms in several districts over the next 24 hours, with isolated pockets likely to witness heavier showers.
Electricity Consumption Surges
As humidity levels remain high, electricity usage has risen across Punjab. The state’s power demand touched 14,603 MW, of which 4,683 MW was generated within the state. The remaining requirement was met through the central grid.
Punjab received 9,921 MW from the central allocation, which was 497 MW lower than its scheduled share of 10,418 MW.
Major Dams Continue to Remain Within Safe Limits
Authorities said water levels at Punjab’s key reservoirs continue to stay below danger levels despite ongoing rainfall.
The Bhakra Dam recorded a water level of 1,607.17 feet, nearly 73 feet below its danger mark of 1,680 feet. The reservoir is currently receiving an inflow of 46,663 cusecs, while 23,269 cusecs of water are being discharged.
Similarly, the Pong Dam stood at 1,343.6 feet, approximately 46 feet below its danger level of 1,390 feet. The reservoir is receiving 23,380 cusecs of inflow and releasing 13,715 cusecs, indicating that the situation remains under control despite the active monsoon conditions.
