Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of an active spell of monsoon across Punjab and Chandigarh over the next four days, with an Orange Alert issued for July 28 and 29 in view of the likelihood of heavy to very heavy rainfall in several districts.
After isolated showers were reported in many areas overnight, weather conditions have turned favourable for widespread rainfall. The IMD has advised people to remain cautious as thunderstorms, lightning and intense downpours are expected to affect large parts of the region over the coming days.
According to the Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, the state’s average maximum temperature has risen by 1.6 degrees Celsius, returning to near-normal levels. Bathinda recorded the highest daytime temperature at 36.8°C, while Chandigarh received around 40 millimetres of rainfall during the night.
The weather office has forecast heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Rupnagar, while light to moderate rainfall is expected across several other districts, including Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Mohali, Ludhiana, Moga, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib and Patiala.
Meteorologists attributed the changing weather pattern to the formation of a low-pressure system over Rajasthan, coupled with the influence of an active Western Disturbance over north India. The combined effect of these systems is expected to keep skies over Punjab and Chandigarh overcast, with intermittent rainfall likely until the end of the month.
Despite the humid weather, Punjab’s power supply remained unaffected. The state registered a peak electricity demand of 13,967 MW, which was successfully met through a combination of power generated within the state and electricity procured from external sources.
Officials said Punjab’s thermal and hydropower stations generated 4,417 MW, while the remaining requirement was met through the central power pool and other arrangements. Although the state received slightly less electricity than its allocated quota, there was no disruption in supply.
Meanwhile, officials monitoring reservoirs have confirmed that water levels in major dams across Punjab continue to remain well below the danger mark. However, authorities are maintaining round-the-clock surveillance in anticipation of increased inflows if the forecast heavy rainfall materialises over the next few days.
The administration has appealed to residents to remain vigilant, avoid unnecessary travel during periods of intense rain, and stay away from waterlogged areas, overflowing drains and swollen rivers. Farmers and commuters have also been advised to keep track of official weather updates as the fresh spell of monsoon activity is expected to influence normal life in several parts of the state.
