Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The southwest monsoon is expected to gather momentum across Punjab and Chandigarh, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread rain over the next few days. Although rainfall remained uneven in many parts of the state on Saturday, weather experts say conditions are becoming increasingly favourable for a stronger spell beginning Sunday.
Several districts witnessed cloudy weather throughout the day, while Ludhiana recorded the heaviest rainfall, bringing temporary respite from high humidity. In many other regions, overcast skies failed to produce significant showers, leaving residents to contend with warm and sticky conditions.
According to the IMD, rain accompanied by thunderstorms and gusty winds is likely in districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, Nawanshahr and Patiala. Authorities have urged people to remain alert during periods of lightning and avoid unnecessary travel during heavy downpours.
Temperatures Expected to Dip Further
The slight rainfall witnessed over the past 24 hours has already led to a marginal fall in maximum temperatures. Meteorologists expect a more noticeable drop once widespread rain sets in, making weather conditions more comfortable across the state.
Monsoon Yet to Bridge Rainfall Gap
Despite the arrival of the monsoon, Punjab continues to report rainfall below the seasonal average. Officials said precipitation during the last 24 hours remained limited, with only a handful of districts receiving measurable showers.
Weather department data shows that while Ludhiana received the highest rainfall, only light rain was reported from a few other locations, including Hoshiarpur, Bathinda and Rupnagar. Most districts remained dry.
Good News for Farmers
Agriculture experts believe the anticipated rainfall will provide timely relief to farmers, especially those cultivating paddy. The upcoming wet spell is expected to improve soil moisture levels and reduce dependence on irrigation in several parts of the state.
Rain Likely Till July 8
The IMD has forecast intermittent rainfall across Punjab until July 8, with light to moderate showers expected in a majority of districts. Isolated areas may also witness heavy rainfall, particularly those located close to the foothills bordering Himachal Pradesh.
Residents have been advised to monitor weather updates, stay away from waterlogged areas during intense rainfall, and take precautions against lightning as monsoon activity remains active over the region.
