Chandigarh: After days of rising temperatures, parts of Punjab and Chandigarh witnessed a change in weather as thunderstorms, scattered showers and gusty winds brought temporary relief from the summer heat. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast similar conditions over the next two days, warning of strong winds and lightning activity in several districts.
Meteorologists have predicted wind speeds ranging between 40 and 50 kilometres per hour in many parts of the state. While temperatures have remained below seasonal averages, weather experts cautioned residents to remain alert as storm activity continues.
According to official data, Punjab’s average maximum temperature recorded only a marginal increase during the last 24 hours and continues to stay below normal levels. Bathinda emerged as the hottest location in the state with the mercury touching 42.6 degrees Celsius. Chandigarh also received light rainfall, helping keep daytime temperatures under control.
Several districts, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Patiala and Mohali, are likely to experience thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and intermittent rain. Weather officials have indicated that isolated areas may receive moderate showers during this period.
The changing weather has already left its mark in some regions. In Mansa district, heavy winds and rain caused a tin-roof structure at a dairy farm to collapse, killing two buffaloes and injuring several others. A worker at the farm also sustained injuries. In Patiala, a tree uprooted during the storm fell onto electricity infrastructure, damaging multiple power poles and a transformer and leading to temporary disruptions in power supply.
Weather experts attributed the ongoing conditions to an active western disturbance affecting northwestern parts of the country. The system has triggered cloud formation, rainfall and gusty winds across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. Officials clarified that the current spell of rain is not linked to the southwest monsoon, which has yet to reach the region.
The Meteorological Department expects scattered rainfall activity to continue over the next few days, particularly in northern and central districts. No major fluctuation in temperatures is anticipated immediately, although forecasters expect warmer conditions to return once the present weather system weakens.
Residents have been advised to avoid taking shelter under trees during storms, remain cautious during lightning activity and follow weather advisories issued by local authorities.
