Chandigarh: Monsoon activity picked up once again across Punjab on Tuesday, with steady rainfall reported in Chandigarh and Mohali, while several other districts, including Jalandhar, woke up to cloudy skies. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast more rain and thunderstorms, issuing a weather alert for nine districts across the state.
The changing weather has brought some respite from the humid conditions, with the state’s average maximum temperature dropping by 1.1 degrees Celsius over the past 24 hours. Authorities have also confirmed that water levels in the state’s major reservoirs remain well within safe limits despite a rise in inflow.
Heavy Rain Warning for Nine Districts
According to the Meteorological Department, isolated spells of heavy rain are likely in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr), Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Bathinda, Rupnagar, and parts of SAS Nagar (Mohali).
The department has advised residents to remain cautious during thunderstorms and avoid low-lying areas prone to waterlogging.
Wet Spell Likely to Continue
Meteorologists expect the current phase of monsoon activity to continue until August 9. Officials said a cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan, coupled with an active monsoon trough across northern India, is driving the present weather system.
Light to moderate rainfall is expected across many districts between August 4 and August 6, while intermittent showers are likely to persist in parts of Punjab through August 9.
Pathankot Records Highest Rainfall
Rainfall data released by the weather department showed Pathankot receiving the highest precipitation during the latest spell, recording 35 mm of rain.
Other areas also witnessed substantial rainfall, with Amritsar receiving 32.2 mm, another station in Pathankot recording 31 mm, Bhakra Dam area in Rupnagar receiving 24.5 mm, Hoshiarpur 24 mm, Kapurthala 23.5 mm, Anandpur Sahib 20.5 mm, and Ludhiana 16 mm.
Lower Electricity Demand Amid Cooler Weather
The cooler conditions have also reduced electricity consumption across the state. Punjab’s power demand currently stands at 12,702 MW.
State-owned generating stations are producing 4,278 MW, while the remaining electricity requirement is being met through the central grid and power purchased from other sources. Officials said the supply network remains stable, with no major power shortages reported.
Reservoirs Remain Within Safe Limits
Continuous rainfall in the catchment areas has increased water inflow into the Bhakra and Pong dams. However, officials said both reservoirs are still comfortably below their respective danger marks.
The water level at Bhakra Dam has reached 1,603.87 feet, nearly 76 feet below the danger level of 1,680 feet. Similarly, Pong Dam stands at 1,342.35 feet, around 48 feet below its danger mark of 1,390 feet.
Authorities are closely monitoring reservoir levels and weather conditions, noting that sustained heavy rainfall over the coming days could lead to a sharper rise in water levels.
