Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): A spell of rain combined with cooler conditions in the hills has brought a marked change in the weather across Punjab and Chandigarh, with mornings and evenings turning noticeably cooler. However, the latest conditions do not yet indicate the arrival of winter, with temperatures expected to rise again as October progresses.
The state’s average maximum temperature has fallen by around 2.1 degrees, leaving it about 5.1 degrees below normal. Bathinda recorded the highest maximum temperature at 31.2°C, while Chandigarh remained cooler at 25.4°C. The city’s temperature was around 7.2 degrees below normal, with the September reading marking its coolest conditions in several years.
Light to moderate rain is possible in isolated parts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, Mohali and Nawanshahr. Chandigarh is likely to remain partly cloudy, with the possibility of rain or thunderstorms at one or two times during the day.
The recent showers have also affected electricity consumption. Punjab’s power demand has dropped significantly as temperatures have moderated. The load was recorded at about 8,785 MW, compared with 12,989 MW on September 26 — a decline of 4,204 MW in just three days.
Lower demand has also reduced the pressure to purchase electricity from outside the state. At present, Punjab is drawing around 3,710 MW against a scheduled drawal of 3,448 MW.
Rain Recorded Across Several Districts
Rain was reported from 10 districts on September 28. Hoshiarpur received the highest rainfall at 70 mm, followed by Jalandhar with 26.5 mm and Patiala with 19.2 mm. Chandigarh recorded 9.4 mm, while Mohali received 7.5 mm.
Pathankot recorded 3.5 mm, Ludhiana 2 mm, and Kapurthala, Rupnagar and Sangrur received around 0.5 mm each.
Monsoon Nearing Its End
Weather conditions are expected to become drier as north-westerly winds strengthen, reducing moisture in the atmosphere and limiting the chances of widespread cloud formation. Isolated showers, however, cannot be ruled out.
The monsoon withdrawal process is already underway, with the withdrawal line extending through parts of Punjab and Chandigarh. A western disturbance affecting northern Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir is also present but is expected to move away.
According to weather experts, the monsoon could completely retreat from the region by tomorrow. The recent cool spell is therefore being viewed as a temporary change rather than the beginning of winter.
Weather expert Mahesh Palawat said the influence of rain and snowfall in the hills would keep mornings and evenings pleasant for some time. Daytime temperatures are expected to climb again after the first week of October, potentially reaching around 34°C, while minimum temperatures could remain near 24°C. Conditions are expected to gradually become more typical of the season by the middle of October.
