Chandigarh, June 16: After enduring a relentless heatwave for over a week, the city witnessed a much-needed dip in temperature on Sunday as overcast skies, light rain, and moderate winds offered brief respite. The maximum temperature dropped sharply by 4.5 degrees, settling at 37.7°C — a noticeable decline from the previous highs recorded over the past seven days.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, the maximum temperatures at Sector 39 and the Indian Air Force base were recorded at 37.7°C and 37.4°C, respectively. However, the relief was partial, as the minimum temperature soared to 32.7°C — one of the warmest nights of the season and the third-highest ever recorded across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.
“Partly cloudy skies, thunderstorms, and light rainfall are likely over the next five days in the tricity region,” said a senior official from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A yellow alert has also been issued for isolated areas in Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana until June 21.
Despite the day’s cooling, the unusually warm night temperatures continued to affect the region. Saturday night registered the season’s warmest reading in Chandigarh, while Haryana’s Sirsa and Rohtak remained the hottest towns in the region with minimum temperatures of 34.2°C and 33.2°C, respectively.
Friday night had offered marginal relief when the minimum dropped to 28.6°C — a 4.1-degree dip from Thursday and 2.3 degrees below normal. But Saturday’s spike undid that brief cooling.
Patiala in Punjab and Sonepat in Haryana recorded the region’s coolest night temperatures on Saturday at 25.8°C and 24.5°C, respectively.
Residents took advantage of Sunday’s cooler weather, stepping out after days of staying indoors due to oppressive heat that peaked on June 10 at 44°C — the season’s highest so far.
The IMD has forecast a continued fall of 3 to 5 degrees in maximum temperatures across the region in the coming days. In Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, day temperatures are expected to range between 33°C and 36°C, while nights may remain warm, hovering between 27°C and 29°C, accompanied by possible rain and thunderstorms through June 20.
