Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A fresh spell of monsoon showers has brought down temperatures across Punjab and Chandigarh, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintaining heavy rainfall warnings for Tuesday. Orange and Yellow Alerts have been issued for several districts as thunderstorms and lightning are expected to accompany the rain.
According to the weather department, widespread rainfall is likely to persist over the next few days. While intense showers are forecast for Tuesday, light to moderate rain is expected to continue across much of Punjab and Chandigarh between July 30 and August 3, with isolated pockets likely to receive heavy precipitation.
The recent showers have resulted in a marked decline in temperatures across the state. Punjab’s average daytime temperature has dropped by around 3°C, bringing it well below the seasonal average. Night temperatures have also dipped slightly, making weather conditions considerably cooler than in recent days.
Despite the overall cooling trend, Bathinda remained the hottest city in the state, registering a maximum temperature of 37°C.
In Chandigarh, pleasant weather prevailed after continuous rainfall. The city recorded a maximum temperature of 29.6°C, about 4.2°C below normal, while the minimum settled at 24.9°C, remaining 2.2°C lower than the average for this time of year.
Rainfall was recorded in several districts over the past 24 hours. Sri Anandpur Sahib in Rupnagar received the highest rainfall at 81.5 mm, followed by Thein Dam in Pathankot with 77.5 mm. Moderate to heavy showers were also reported from Mohali, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Bhakra Dam, Balowal Saunkhri, and parts of Pathankot.
Chandigarh too witnessed steady rainfall through the day. After light showers during the morning hours, rainfall intensified later, with both the city and airport area recording significant precipitation.
The IMD has cautioned that heavy rain may lead to waterlogging in low-lying areas and increase the risk of lightning strikes. Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during adverse weather, remain indoors during thunderstorms, and stay updated with official weather bulletins until the current spell subsides.
