Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh/Balwinder Singh): The southwest monsoon has expanded across almost the entire northern belt of the country, bringing steady rainfall to Punjab, Haryana and neighbouring regions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said only a limited stretch in the western parts of the two states is yet to come under complete monsoon influence, with conditions remaining favourable for further advancement.
Following its recent progress, several parts of Punjab and Haryana have recorded rainfall above the normal average for the past few days, providing much-needed relief from the prolonged spell of heat and humidity.
The weather office has forecast widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds across Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi over the next several days. A Yellow Alert remains in effect as intermittent spells of moderate to heavy rainfall are expected to continue.
Although the recent showers have significantly improved rainfall figures, seasonal data indicates that both Punjab and Haryana are still running below their normal cumulative rainfall totals since the onset of the monsoon season in June. Officials believe the current spell could help reduce that deficit if rainfall continues over the coming week.
Among Punjab districts, Faridkot, Ludhiana and Moga have received some of the highest rainfall during the latest monsoon activity, while a few western districts are still waiting for substantial showers. In Haryana, districts such as Yamunanagar, Ambala and Panchkula have recorded comparatively higher rainfall than many other parts of the state.
Meteorologists said the strengthening monsoon system is expected to remain active over northern India, creating favourable conditions for consistent rainfall in the plains while also increasing precipitation over the Himalayan region.
The IMD has also predicted widespread rain in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with isolated locations likely to witness very heavy rainfall. Authorities have warned that intense showers in hilly areas may trigger landslides, flash floods and temporary road blockages.
Residents have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel during periods of heavy rain, especially in flood-prone and mountainous regions. Disaster management teams and local administrations have been asked to remain on alert as the active monsoon phase is expected to persist through the coming days.
With rainfall activity intensifying across the north, weather experts expect temperatures to remain below recent highs, offering continued relief from extreme summer conditions while improving prospects for agriculture in many rain-dependent regions.
