Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Continuous rain in Chandigarh and adjoining Mohali since late Thursday night has brought welcome relief from the heat, even as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of moderate rainfall in several districts of Punjab over the next few days.
The overnight showers uprooted trees in parts of Chandigarh, including Sector 39, prompting civic teams to clear roads and restore normal traffic movement. Light rain continued in Mohali through the morning, keeping temperatures significantly lower than earlier this week.
The Chandigarh Meteorological Centre has forecast moderate rainfall for seven districts, including Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Ludhiana and Hoshiarpur. Residents have been advised to remain cautious as isolated spells of heavy rain could lead to waterlogging in vulnerable areas.
Despite a slight rise in the state’s maximum temperature during the last 24 hours, overall readings remain below seasonal averages. Faridkot recorded Punjab’s highest daytime temperature at 42.4 degrees Celsius, while Chandigarh witnessed a sharp drop after receiving substantial rainfall.
According to weather officials, Chandigarh recorded the highest rainfall in the region during the past 24 hours, with neighbouring Mohali also receiving significant showers. A few other locations, including Patiala and Sri Anandpur Sahib, reported light rainfall, whereas much of southwest Punjab remained largely dry.
Meteorologists explained that the current rainfall pattern is being influenced by the gradual movement of the monsoon trough towards the Himalayan foothills. This shift is expected to reduce moisture availability over the plains, causing rainfall activity to become more scattered in the coming days.
The IMD expects light to moderate showers to continue across several parts of Punjab until July 12. However, rainfall is likely to decline after July 13 as the monsoon weakens over the region. Weather experts say drier conditions are expected to return gradually, leading to a steady increase in daytime temperatures across the state.
While the recent rain has eased humid conditions in many northern districts, authorities have advised residents to stay updated with weather advisories, particularly in areas where heavy showers could temporarily disrupt traffic and civic services.
