Amidst an ongoing heat wave across north-western India that is expected to continue till at least May 27, some relief is expected on May 22 with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicting the possibility of rain and thunderstorm over some parts of Punjab.
Over the past 24 hours, Faridkot district received very light rain. At 47.3 degrees Celsius, this district had recorded the highest maximum temperature in the state for this season just two days ago, according to IMD records.
A bulletin issued by the IMD on May 21 stated that isolated to scattered, light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds are expected over Punjab on May 22, even as it has issued an orange alert for heat wave to severe heat wave conditions at many places in Punjab and Haryana over the next seven days. Thunderstorms, dust storms along with lightning and gusty wind have also been predicted at isolated places in both the states on May 22.
Very light rainfall occurred at isolated places in Punjab while the weather remained dry in Haryana over the past 24 hours, IMD data showed. Gusty winds were observed at isolated places in both states along with heat wave conditions at many places and warm nights at isolated places.
Faridkot received 0.9 mm rain during the past 24 hours. During the month of May so far, Punjab has received 9.3 mm rain against the long period average (LPA) of 12.2 mm for this period, accounting for a deficit of 24 percent.
On the other hand, rains during May so far in Haryana have been surplus by 16 percent, with the state receiving 14.3 mm rain against the LPA of 12.3 mm. Seasonal rains since March 1 have been above LPA by 25 percent in Haryana and by nine percent in Punjab.
According to IMD, the western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu division at 3.1 km above mean sea level has become less marked. An upper air cyclonic circulation lies over Punjab and adjoining Pakistan at 900 meters above sea level, while another upper air cyclonic circulation lies over north Haryana and neighbourhood at 1.5 km above sea level.
Under the influence of these weather systems, isolated to scattered light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds are likely over Jammu and Kashmir on May 23, over Himachal Pradesh and west Rajasthan on May 22 and over Uttarakhand on May 22 and 23.
A thundersquall with wind speeds reaching 70 kmph is also likely over Jammu and Kashmir on May 22 and hailstorm activity is possible at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh May 22, IMD said.
