Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab is likely to remain under the influence of the monsoon on Sunday, with light to moderate showers expected at several places. Although the weather department has not issued an alert for any district, the possibility of a stronger spell of rain is expected to increase from Monday.
Chandigarh, meanwhile, is likely to remain cloudy, with isolated spells of rain or thunderstorms possible during the day.
The state’s average maximum temperature dipped slightly by 0.3°C compared with Saturday, keeping temperatures close to normal. Bathinda was the warmest place in Punjab, recording a maximum temperature of 36.6°C.
Rain may cover most parts of Punjab
Meteorological officials have forecast light to moderate showers at some locations in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala and Mohali.
Scattered rain is also possible in Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala, Mansa and Sangrur.
Chandigarh Meteorological Centre director Surendra Pal said the monsoon trough is currently passing through the Ferozepur region, while a Western Disturbance is also active. Since both systems are not producing the same impact across Punjab, rainfall is expected to remain uneven.
Heavy rain expected on August 18
Weather conditions are likely to become more active from Monday, with heavy rainfall forecast in parts of Punjab on August 18.
The forecast comes as the state continues to experience fluctuating monsoon conditions, with cloudy periods followed by brief spells of rain in different areas.
Power demand remains above 14,000 MW
Punjab’s electricity consumption also remained elevated on Saturday, with demand reaching 14,307 MW.
Of the total requirement, 9,590 MW was sourced from the central pool, while 4,722 MW came from generation within the state. Officials have said that adequate arrangements are in place and there is currently no shortage of power supply.
Dam levels rise but remain within limits
Meanwhile, water continues to flow into Punjab’s major reservoirs, although levels at Bhakra and Pong remain below their maximum limits.
Bhakra Dam recorded an inflow of 46,990 cusecs on August 15, against an outflow of 26,158 cusecs. Its water level stood at 1,620.88 feet, nearly 59 feet below the full reservoir level of 1,680 feet.
At Pong Dam, inflow stood at 29,119 cusecs while 15,817 cusecs was released. The reservoir’s water level was recorded at 1,353.67 feet, around 36 feet below its maximum level of 1,390 feet.
With another spell of rain expected, authorities are likely to continue monitoring rainfall, river inflows and reservoir levels closely across the region.
