Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The southwest monsoon has become more active over Punjab and Chandigarh, prompting the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to forecast widespread rainfall, thunderstorms and gusty winds across the region over the next six days. A yellow alert has been issued for several districts, with heavy showers expected in parts of northern and eastern Punjab.
According to the Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh, rain-bearing systems are expected to remain active through the week, bringing intermittent spells of moderate to heavy rainfall along with lightning and winds reaching speeds of 40–50 kmph in vulnerable areas.
The changing weather has already provided relief from the intense heat that gripped the region over the past several weeks. Maximum temperatures have fallen across most districts, although they continue to remain above the seasonal average in many places. Bathinda remained the hottest location in the state, while Chandigarh witnessed a sharp dip in daytime temperatures following rain and cloud cover.
Weather officials have identified Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Mohali and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar among the districts most likely to receive heavy rainfall. Thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds are also likely in Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala.
Meteorologists attribute the increase in rainfall activity to multiple weather systems working simultaneously. Besides the advancing southwest monsoon, a cyclonic circulation over Punjab and an active western disturbance are expected to enhance moisture flow into the region. The presence of a monsoon trough stretching across northern India is also likely to sustain favourable conditions for rainfall.
Despite the monsoon’s arrival on July 1, Punjab has so far recorded below-normal seasonal rainfall. While districts such as Pathankot have received substantial showers, many other parts of the state continue to report rainfall deficits. Officials, however, expect the upcoming spell to improve the overall monsoon performance and reduce the existing shortfall.
The IMD has advised residents to remain alert during periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms. People have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during intense weather, stay away from weak structures and waterlogged areas, and follow official advisories issued by local authorities.
If the forecast holds, the coming days are expected to bring widespread rainfall across Punjab, offering sustained relief from heat and humidity while improving moisture conditions for agriculture during the ongoing kharif season.
