Chandigarh: After days of intense heat, parts of Punjab witnessed a change in weather on Monday, with rainfall reported in cities including Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Jalandhar. Cloud cover and gusty winds signalled the arrival of a new weather system across the region.
The India Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for the next two days, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds that could reach speeds of up to 60 km/h. Chandigarh also experienced brisk winds as conditions began to shift.
Despite the rainfall, temperatures remain above seasonal averages, with the highest reading recorded in Bathinda at around 43°C. Several other districts continue to report temperatures above 40°C, indicating that the heat has not fully subsided.
Weather officials have forecast light to moderate rainfall across a majority of districts, along with thunderstorms in areas such as Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Patiala, and Sangrur. Strong winds are expected to affect many parts of the state, potentially disrupting normal activities.
Experts attribute the sudden shift in weather to a western disturbance impacting northern India, which is likely to remain active over the next few days. This system is expected to bring intermittent rain and storm activity across the region until early May.
While the ongoing weather changes may offer temporary relief from the heat, authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during thunderstorms and avoid exposure to strong winds and lightning.
