Officials said the current weather pattern is likely to lower daytime temperatures, particularly in the Tricity region.
Chandigarh: The southwest monsoon regained momentum over parts of Punjab on Sunday, bringing scattered showers and a welcome drop in temperatures after days of oppressive heat. Rainfall was reported from Mohali and nearby areas during the morning, while the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a short-term weather advisory for several districts, predicting more rainfall through the day.
According to the IMD, moderate showers accompanied by gusty winds are likely in Mohali, Chandigarh, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rajpura, Dera Bassi, Kharar, Rupnagar, Bassi Pathana, Samrala, Phagwara, Jalandhar, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Garhshankar, Gurdaspur, Batala, Mukerian, Pathankot, Dasuya and surrounding regions during the morning hours.
The department has also forecast light rainfall at isolated places in Patiala, Sangrur, Barnala, Malerkotla, Ludhiana, Khanna, Moga, Ferozepur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Nakodar, Shahkot, Phillaur, Sultanpur Lodhi, Jagraon and Raikot.
The fresh showers brought a noticeable change in weather conditions, with cool winds replacing the sweltering heat that had dominated the region over the past week. Although rainfall remained uneven across the state, meteorologists expect monsoon activity to strengthen further over the next few days.
Officials said the current weather pattern is likely to lower daytime temperatures, particularly in the Tricity region. The maximum temperature, which had been hovering in the mid-to-high 30s Celsius, is expected to decline steadily as cloud cover increases and rainfall becomes more widespread.
The IMD's extended forecast indicates that July 20 to July 23 could witness frequent spells of rain and thunderstorms across Punjab and Chandigarh. Cloudy skies are expected to persist throughout this period, with temperatures likely to remain below the levels recorded during the recent dry spell.
Weather experts have advised residents to remain cautious during periods of heavy rain, particularly while travelling on highways and in low-lying urban areas where temporary waterlogging may occur. Farmers have also been encouraged to plan agricultural activities in accordance with the latest weather updates, as the upcoming rainfall is expected to improve soil moisture across many parts of the state.
The renewed monsoon activity is expected to provide much-needed respite from heat stress while boosting prospects for the ongoing kharif cropping season.
