Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Most parts of Punjab are unlikely to receive rain over the coming days, although two districts near the Himachal Pradesh border could witness light showers on Friday. The Meteorological Department has predicted rainfall activity in Pathankot and Hoshiarpur, followed by largely dry conditions across Punjab and Chandigarh for the next five days.
The possibility of rain is linked to a Western Disturbance positioned over Kashmir and neighbouring areas. Its influence on westerly winds in the middle troposphere may trigger brief precipitation in the two districts. Elsewhere, residents are likely to experience stable weather, with light to moderate fog possible during nighttime and early morning hours.
The department has ruled out any major change in daytime or nighttime temperatures during the five-day forecast period. Rainfall is also unlikely after November 13, according to the current outlook.
Bathinda records highest temperature
No part of Punjab reported rain in the preceding 24-hour period. The state’s average maximum temperature increased marginally by 0.2 degrees Celsius, keeping it 1.8 degrees above the seasonal average.
Bathinda recorded the highest maximum temperature at 33.1 degrees Celsius, making it the warmest place in Punjab in the latest observations.
Seven Punjab cities report AQI above Chandigarh
Air pollution remains another concern, with stubble-burning incidents contributing to poor air quality in several parts of the state. Chandigarh’s AQI stood at 91, while seven Punjab cities recorded higher readings.
Ludhiana topped the list with an AQI of 288, followed by Bathinda at 246. Amritsar and Patiala recorded 221 and 211, respectively. The readings for Khanna, Mandi Gobindgarh and Jalandhar stood at 174, 155 and 150.
In contrast, Rupnagar registered an AQI of just 50, significantly lower than the figures reported in several other locations. Its reading was also 41 points below Chandigarh’s.
The weather department’s forecast points to little change in temperatures despite the possibility of isolated showers. Meanwhile, the gap in air quality readings across cities reflects the continuing pollution challenge in parts of Punjab.
