CHANDIGARH, July 19 — The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a heavy rain warning for Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana over the next three days, forecasting widespread downpours and potential disruptions beginning Sunday night.
In its bulletin on Saturday, the IMD said rainfall activity is expected to intensify significantly over the northern and eastern parts of Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, from the night of July 20.
“Heavy rainfall (7 cm or more) is very likely at isolated places between July 20 and 22 over northern and eastern Punjab, as well as northern, eastern and southern Haryana,” the department said. It further warned of very heavy rain (12 cm or more) at isolated spots on July 21, especially across districts such as Chandigarh, Mohali, Panchkula, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Ropar.
Light rain is likely at isolated places over the next 24 to 36 hours, the IMD added, but more widespread light to moderate showers are expected at most locations on July 21 and 22, and at a few places on July 20 and 23.
The weather office also reported that in the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain occurred at several locations in Haryana and at isolated places in Punjab.
Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 31.7°C, a drop of 2.1°C from the previous day and 1.6°C below normal. The minimum temperature dipped to 26.5°C, showing a decline of 0.9°C and standing 0.4°C below the seasonal average.
Moderate rainfall was observed in the city between 8:30 am and 12:20 pm on Saturday, with relative humidity touching 97%, indicating high moisture levels ahead of the predicted spell.
Residents and authorities have been advised to stay alert and prepare for potential waterlogging, localised flooding, and transportation disruptions during the rain spell.
