Chandigarh: A noticeable change in weather has brought relief from the recent heat across Punjab and Chandigarh, with temperatures dropping significantly below the seasonal average and storm activity expected to continue.
The Meteorological Centre has issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ for May 5 and 6, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, and rainfall accompanied by strong winds that could reach speeds of up to 50 km/h. Officials said the current conditions are being influenced by an active western disturbance and associated atmospheric systems over the northern region.
Several districts, including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Patiala, are likely to experience thunderstorms and strong winds, while rainfall is expected across a wider stretch of the state, including Amritsar, Ludhiana and Jalandhar.
Despite fluctuations, no district has recorded temperatures above 40°C. The highest reading was observed in Bathinda at 36.7°C, while most regions remained within the 31–35°C range. Cities like Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Ludhiana reported slight dips in daytime temperatures over the past 24 hours.
Weather experts attribute the shift to a combination of a western disturbance over neighbouring areas and a low-pressure system over Haryana, which are driving cloud formation and unstable conditions across north India.
The forecast indicates that light to moderate rain may persist over the next couple of days, with intermittent showers expected in isolated areas until May 8. While temperatures may see a brief rise, a further drop is anticipated later in the week.
Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during thunderstorms and avoid exposure to open areas during strong winds and lightning activity.
