Chandigarh Heavy Rain Alert: Chandigarh is set to experience another spell of heavy rainfall, as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert beginning Saturday. This alert extends to Punjab and Haryana as well, warning residents of intense rain accompanied by thunderstorms at isolated locations for the next four days. The region witnessed a moderate downpour over the past 24 hours, leading to a significant dip in both day and night temperatures. However, the rain also caused severe waterlogging across major roads and intersections, disrupting daily life.
According to the IMD, Chandigarh recorded 39.6 mm of rainfall in the last 24 hours. As a result, the maximum temperature dropped to 30.4 degrees Celsius—3.5 degrees lower than the previous day and 2.8 degrees below the seasonal average. Similarly, the minimum temperature fell to 24.4 degrees Celsius, marking a 2.8-degree dip from the previous night and 2.3 degrees below the norm. Residents experienced brief relief from the recent heat and humidity, but the flooded roads soon brought back frustration and inconvenience.
The rainfall occurred mainly during the night between Wednesday and Thursday, with 39.2 mm falling between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m., while only 0.4 mm was recorded during the day. Despite the lower daytime rainfall, the impact remained significant. Streets in Chandigarh turned into water channels, and traffic movement slowed drastically in many sectors.
Mohali recorded 24 mm of rainfall and was the coolest area in the tricity region. The city’s maximum and minimum temperatures stood at 29.4 and 24.8 degrees Celsius, respectively, both showing a drop of over 2 degrees from the previous day. In contrast, Panchkula was the hottest among the three, with temperatures at 30.8 and 24.9 degrees Celsius. However, even these figures were lower than normal, with a 2.7 and 2.3-degree decline in maximum and minimum temperatures, respectively.
Humidity remained on the higher side throughout the region, with Chandigarh recording a relative humidity of 94%. The weather department has forecast generally cloudy skies, accompanied by thunderstorms and rain for the next five days across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. The consistent cloud cover and continued showers are likely to keep the mercury lower than usual during this period.
The IMD further stated that average maximum temperatures in Punjab and Haryana were 3.4 and 4.5 degrees below normal, respectively, as of Thursday. This decline, though appreciated by those weary of the heat, also raised concerns about potential flooding and traffic disruptions if the heavy rain continues unabated.
Local authorities are urging citizens to remain cautious, especially during peak rain hours, and to avoid venturing into waterlogged areas. With the alert in place through August 5, residents of the tricity and surrounding states are advised to stay updated with weather warnings and take necessary precautions to ensure safety.