Weather officials have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly during thunderstorms.

Chandigarh: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted another active day of monsoon weather across Punjab and Chandigarh, with Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Hoshiarpur expected to receive heavy rainfall. A yellow alert has also been issued for several parts of the state, warning of thunderstorms and lightning.

According to the forecast, most districts in Punjab are likely to witness light to moderate rainfall at isolated places, while Chandigarh is expected to remain under cloudy skies with occasional showers throughout the day. Weather officials have advised residents to remain cautious, particularly during thunderstorms.

Districts such as Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar, Patiala, Mohali and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar are likely to receive intermittent rainfall. Similar conditions are expected in Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala and Mansa, where scattered showers are also forecast.

The weather department has urged people to avoid open spaces during lightning activity and to take necessary precautions while travelling, especially in areas experiencing heavy rainfall.

Meteorologists said the prevailing weather pattern is being influenced by an active monsoon trough over northern India, coupled with a western disturbance affecting the Himalayan region. These systems are expected to keep rain activity alive across Punjab and Chandigarh over the next few days.

Despite recent showers, Punjab continues to record a 33 per cent shortfall in seasonal rainfall, indicating that the monsoon has remained weaker than usual across the state. Chandigarh, however, has witnessed relatively better rainfall during July, helping narrow its rainfall deficit.

The prolonged spell of humid weather has also led to increased electricity consumption. State power demand climbed to 14,241 MW, with Punjab meeting part of the requirement through its own generating stations and the remainder through the central power grid and other sources.

Meanwhile, inflows into the Bhakra and Pong reservoirs have increased following rainfall in Himachal Pradesh, though officials confirmed that water levels remain safely below the danger mark. Authorities said the situation will continue to be monitored closely, as future inflows will depend on rainfall in the catchment areas and reservoir management in the coming weeks.