Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Punjab and Chandigarh, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and strong winds over the next 48 hours as monsoon activity strengthens across the region.
Weather officials said several districts witnessed scattered showers over the past day, bringing a slight dip in daytime temperatures while night temperatures edged up marginally. Despite these fluctuations, temperatures across the state remain close to seasonal averages.
Among the districts that received notable rainfall, Abohar in Fazilka topped the chart with 15.5 mm, closely followed by Gurdaspur with 15.4 mm. Other areas that recorded significant precipitation included Sri Muktsar Sahib (14 mm), Hoshiarpur (13 mm), the Bhakra Dam region in Rupnagar (12.5 mm), Balachaur in Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (12 mm), Amritsar (11.6 mm), Ferozepur (9 mm) and Ludhiana (7.4 mm).
Even with intermittent rainfall, Bathinda remained the warmest city in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 35°C. Chandigarh and Abohar followed at 34.8°C, while Faridkot registered 34°C. Temperatures in Ludhiana and Patiala touched 33.8°C, and Amritsar recorded 31.1°C.
On the other hand, Gurdaspur experienced the coolest night, with the mercury dipping to 24.7°C. Chandigarh reported a minimum temperature of 25.2°C, while Bathinda recorded 25.6°C.
The IMD has forecast that rain intensity is likely to increase on July 28 and 29, with several parts of Punjab expected to experience heavy showers accompanied by lightning and gusty winds. Authorities have advised residents to remain cautious during periods of severe weather.
In Chandigarh, the ongoing monsoon season has so far remained below average. Since June 1, the city has received 249.1 mm of rainfall, which is nearly 32 per cent lower than the normal seasonal average.
Forecasts suggest cloudy skies with intermittent rain and thunderstorms will continue over the coming days before heavier rainfall sets in early next week.
Officials have warned that intense downpours could trigger waterlogging in urban centres and low-lying localities, potentially disrupting traffic and daily activities. Residents have been urged to avoid unnecessary travel during heavy rain, stay away from flooded roads and follow weather advisories issued by local authorities.
Emergency response agencies remain on alert as the administration prepares to deal with any weather-related disruptions during the anticipated spell of active monsoon conditions.
