Chandigarh: Several parts of Punjab woke up to wet and windy weather on Monday and Tuesday as a fresh Western Disturbance triggered widespread rainfall across the state, causing temperatures to plunge sharply. The maximum temperature across many regions dipped as much as 9°C below seasonal norms, with Faridkot recording the state’s highest at just 28.1°C.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a yellow alert has been issued for 12 districts on Tuesday, October 7. These include Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Sangrur, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Mohali, Rupnagar, Kapurthala, Hoshiarpur, Gurdaspur, and Pathankot. Among them, Ludhiana and Jalandhar have been experiencing steady rainfall since early morning, with overcast skies and gusty winds adding to the chill.
The sharp dip in temperature—by 8.1°C within 24 hours—has left residents pulling out warm clothing far earlier than usual for the season. The sudden cold snap is being attributed to the active Western Disturbance currently influencing weather patterns in the northwestern region.
Alongside the rain, winds reaching speeds of up to 40 km/h have been reported and are likely to continue through the day in the affected districts. However, meteorologists suggest that other parts of Punjab may experience more stable weather conditions with only light to moderate rain or none at all.
Relief as Dam Water Levels Recede
In what comes as good news for the region’s flood management efforts, authorities have reported a decline in water levels at key reservoirs. In recent days, floodgates had been opened to release excess water and reduce the pressure on dams following earlier spells of heavy rain. Officials now say that with reduced inflow and continued water release, the discharge has been significantly lowered, easing flood concerns in downstream areas.
The current weather activity is expected to taper off gradually by midweek, though officials advise residents in affected districts to remain cautious and keep an eye on local advisories, especially in areas prone to waterlogging or wind-related hazards.
