Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): After days of intense heat, Punjab and Chandigarh have witnessed a significant change in weather, with thunderstorms, rainfall, and gusty winds bringing down temperatures across the region. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that unstable weather conditions will continue over the coming days, offering respite from the recent heatwave.
An Orange Alert has been issued for several parts of Punjab, with warnings of heavy showers, hailstorms, and winds that may reach speeds of 60 to 70 kmph. Authorities have urged residents to avoid taking shelter under trees or near electric poles during adverse weather.
The recent spell of rain has led to a noticeable decline in temperatures, with the state’s average maximum dropping well below previous levels. Abohar recorded the highest temperature at 42 degrees Celsius, while most districts experienced cooler conditions compared to earlier in the week.
The sudden weather shift also impacted Punjab’s power infrastructure. Strong winds disrupted electricity distribution in several areas, leading to widespread outages and a sharp fall in recorded power demand as supply systems were affected.
Damage caused by the storm was reported from multiple districts. In Amritsar, a wall collapse claimed one life, while high-speed winds uprooted trees and damaged property in several locations. Pathankot witnessed traffic disruption after a fallen tree blocked a major highway, and lightning damaged residential structures in parts of Ludhiana district.
Meteorological officials have predicted that rainfall and thunderstorms are likely to continue until June 17, with isolated hailstorms expected in a few districts. The ongoing weather activity is also expected to reduce daytime temperatures further before a gradual rise later next week.
With the southwest monsoon steadily advancing, experts believe Punjab could continue to experience intermittent rain spells in the coming days, providing sustained relief from extreme summer conditions while also requiring caution due to storm-related risks.
