Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): After a brief slowdown, monsoon activity is expected to intensify across Punjab from September 13, with the India Meteorological Department forecasting rain over several parts of the state during the next four days.
A Yellow Alert has been issued as some areas could receive heavy rainfall through September 17. Chandigarh is also expected to witness cloudy conditions and rain during this period.
The renewed spell comes as maximum temperatures in Punjab have eased slightly, although they continue to remain above the seasonal average.
Chandigarh Records Higher Temperature Than Punjab Districts
Punjab’s average maximum temperature fell by around 0.5 degrees, but remained 1.8 degrees above normal.
Bhakra Dam recorded the highest temperature in the state at 36.3°C. Chandigarh, however, remained warmer, recording a maximum of 36.8°C, higher than the readings reported from Punjab’s districts.
The expected rainfall could provide some relief from the prevailing heat and may also help narrow the seasonal rainfall deficit in parts of the state.
Rain Forecast Across 16 Districts
According to the weather department, rainfall is likely in 16 districts on Sunday.
Pathankot has been placed among the areas where heavier rain could occur. Light to moderate showers are also possible at isolated locations in Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Rupnagar and Mohali.
Several other districts, including Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Barnala, Mansa, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala, may also receive rain.
Punjab recorded only 0.6 mm of rainfall on Saturday. If the forecast rainfall materialises over the coming days, it could help improve rainfall levels in districts where the monsoon has remained below expectations.
Weather System Supporting Rain Activity
The anticipated change in weather is linked to an active Western Disturbance over northern Punjab and adjoining regions.
A cyclonic circulation that was earlier located over northern Pakistan and neighbouring Jammu has shifted towards northern Punjab and surrounding areas. The system is currently positioned at an altitude of approximately 3.1 to 5.8 km.
Meteorologists expect the circulation to increase cloud development and rainfall activity over the region.
With the system remaining active, Punjab is likely to see a combination of cloudy skies and showers during the next several days, with isolated areas facing the possibility of heavier precipitation.
