Chandigarh, Sept 8 — With trace showers on Sunday, Chandigarh’s seasonal rainfall climbed to 1,007.2 mm, making this year the second wettest monsoon in a decade and 32.6% above normal for the period, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
Officials said only July 2023 saw more rainfall in recent years, when the city received a record 693.2 mm. So far in September alone, 211.9 mm has been logged at the IMD Sector 39 observatory, exceeding the month’s average of 131.4 mm and marking the wettest September since 2018, when 319.4 mm was recorded. The IMD measures monsoon totals from June through September.
IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul attributed the heavy showers to the unusual interaction of a strong Western Disturbance (WD) with the monsoon system. “The past week saw heavy rains due to the interaction of a strong and active WD with the monsoon system. This was also seen in July 2023 when 693.2 mm rain was recorded in the city. Monsoon rain usually isn’t accompanied by thundery systems, but WDs brought them along this week,” Paul said.
He added that while the last WD was subsiding, another system forming over the Arabian Sea could bring fresh spells in Gujarat, Rajasthan and adjoining states. More weak disturbances are also expected to pass through the region in September. “Light to moderate rain with thunderstorms are likely to continue till Wednesday, after which the activity may drop. Chances of light rain are likely to continue till at least September 20,” Paul noted.
Meanwhile, temperatures fluctuated over the weekend, with the maximum rising from 29.2°C on Saturday to 33.9°C on Sunday — one degree above normal — and the minimum dipping from 25.9°C to 24.2°C, one degree below normal.
Institutions to reopen
Educational institutions in Chandigarh, including government and private schools, colleges and Panjab University, will reopen Monday after being closed due to heavy rain.
In Mohali, Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Magistrate Komal Mittal directed school heads to inspect their premises and report unsafe buildings for structural checks. Classes will resume in all structurally safe schools from Tuesday, September 9, officials said.
