The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday warned of thunderstorm, squall of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph, hailstorm and heavy rain across Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana from Thursday through Saturday — even as the severe heatwave gripping the region since Monday peaked on Wednesday and will persist through Thursday before retreating.
Thursday marks the start of a dramatic weather shift.
Scattered rain is forecast along with a dangerous squall of 70-80 kmph gusting up to 90 kmph, lightning and hailstorm at isolated places across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh. An orange alert is in force, with a simultaneous warning for lingering heatwave at isolated places even as the storms begin. Light to moderate rain is expected at few places.
Friday brings the full force of the approaching weather system. Fairly widespread rain is forecast across the region, with thunderstorm, lightning, squall of 70-80 kmph gusting 90 kmph, hailstorm at isolated places, and moderate to heavy rain at isolated places. District-wise maps released by the IMD show a red “Take Action” alert — the most severe warning level — for parts of Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ropar, Nawanshahr, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Ambala and Yamunanagar.
Saturday will see fairly widespread rain continuing, with thunderstorm, lightning, and gusty winds of 50-60 kmph along with heavy rain at isolated places. The alert level eases to orange.
Sunday will bring only isolated showers with no active warning. From Monday and Tuesday, weather turns dry again with no warning, and temperatures are expected to climb.
Meanwhile, the weather remained dry across Punjab and Haryana in the past 24 hours. Heatwave conditions were observed at isolated places in both states.
Wednesday was the most intense day of the ongoing heat spell. Faridkot sizzled at 46.1°C, the highest in Punjab, while Rohtak blazed at 46.6°C, the highest in Haryana. Punjab’s average maximum temperature rose a sharp 1.4°C from Tuesday and was 4.1°C above normal. Haryana’s average maximum rose 0.9°C and was 4.2°C above normal.
Chandigarh recorded a maximum of 43.1°C, 3°C above normal and 1.5°C higher than Tuesday. The minimum was 22.5°C, a significant 3.2°C below normal. Relative humidity ranged between a parched 13 per cent and 46 per cent.
SEVERE HEATWAVE TO HOLD THROUGH THURSDAY
The IMD confirmed that heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will continue across the region on Thursday as well. Temperatures over central, southern, and southwestern Punjab and the whole of Haryana are still likely to be in the range of 45-47°C on Thursday, while Chandigarh and the rest of Punjab can expect 42-45°C. The maximum is expected to fall sharply by 6-8°C once the storm system takes hold from Friday. Heatwave conditions will abate from May 29, the weathermen confirmed.
NEXT FIVE DAYS FOR TRICITY
- Thursday: partly cloudy sky with thunderstorm and rain possible, max 41°C, min 23°C
- Friday: partly cloudy with thunderstorm and rain, max 40°C, min 25°C
- Saturday: partly cloudy with thunderstorm and rain, max 39°C, min 24°C
- Sunday: partly cloudy, max 36°C, min 20°C, the coolest night of the window
- Monday: mainly clear sky, max 36°C, min 23°C.
CHANDIGARH STAYS HIGH
Maximum temperature at Chandigarh Weather Observatory was 43.1°C (3°C above normal) and minimum was 22.5°C (3.2°C below normal). Maximum relative humidity was 46 per cent and minimum was 13 per cent. No rainfall was recorded in the past 24 hours or during afternoon hours. Seasonal rainfall from March 1 stood at 105 mm, which is 99.6 per cent of normal, virtually on par with the seasonal average. Sunset on Thursday is at 7:17 pm and sunrise on Friday will be at 5:23 am.
