Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab is set to experience a spell of turbulent weather over the next several days, with the India Meteorological Department warning of thunderstorms, gusty winds and scattered rainfall across a large part of the state. The advisory comes as atmospheric conditions turn favourable for increased monsoon activity.
The Meteorological Centre in Chandigarh has issued a storm alert for several districts, cautioning that wind speeds could reach between 40 and 60 kmph in some areas. Locations including Budhlada, Lehra, Moonak, Patran, Batala, Ajnala, Dera Baba Nanak, Gurdaspur and Pathankot are expected to witness thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds.
A separate advisory has also been issued for regions such as Sunam, Fazilka, Muktsar, Jalalabad, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Zira, Patti, Sultanpur Lodhi, Tarn Taran, Khadoor Sahib, Baba Bakala, parts of Amritsar, Mukerian and Dhar Kalan, where wind speeds of 30 to 40 kmph along with thunder activity are likely.
Officials have urged residents to avoid venturing into open fields during thunderstorms and to maintain a safe distance from trees, electricity poles and other vulnerable structures that could pose a risk during high winds or lightning strikes.
Weather experts attribute the changing conditions to the influence of a trough extending from Punjab towards eastern India, along with a fresh Western Disturbance expected to become active on June 18. The interaction of these systems is likely to produce widespread cloud cover, intermittent rain and thunderstorms across the region.
The latest forecast also suggests that the southwest monsoon is progressing under favourable conditions, increasing the possibility of rainfall in many districts over the coming days.
According to Meteorological Centre Director Surendra Pal, light to moderate showers are likely at isolated places between June 15 and June 18, while rainfall activity is expected to become more widespread on June 19. Some areas may continue to receive precipitation on June 20 and June 21 as well.
Although rain is expected to provide temporary relief from dry conditions, daytime temperatures are likely to rise gradually by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next four days before remaining largely stable.
On June 17, districts including Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala and Mohali are likely to receive scattered rainfall.
The following day, weather activity is expected to intensify with rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds forecast for several western and central districts, including Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Bathinda and Mansa.
By June 19, a majority of Punjab’s districts—including Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Moga, Ludhiana, Barnala, Sangrur, Patiala, Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda, Mansa, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar and Mohali—are expected to witness rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and squally winds.
Authorities have advised citizens to stay updated with official weather bulletins and exercise caution while travelling or working outdoors, as rapidly changing weather conditions could impact daily life in several parts of the state over the next few days.
