CHANDIGARH, 23 June — Even as the southwest monsoon officially arrived in the region on Sunday, residents of Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula continued to reel under hot and humid conditions on Monday, with temperatures edging upward and only traces of rain reported in parts of the tricity.
After a brief dip in mercury on Sunday, both the maximum and minimum temperatures rose again over the last 24 hours, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The overcast sky and moderate winds kept hopes of relief alive, but the absence of substantial rainfall frustrated many in the region.
Chandigarh’s maximum temperature climbed to 35.6°C, while Panchkula remained the coolest in the tricity with 34°C. Mohali recorded 36°C, making it the warmest among the three. Minimum temperatures ranged between 25.7°C and 28.4°C, with Chandigarh logging the highest at night.
Humidity spiked due to scattered showers in Mohali and Panchkula, while Chandigarh stayed dry. Residents endured another warm night, with minimum temperatures notably above normal in many parts of Punjab and Haryana. Sirsa reported 31.6°C and Bathinda 30°C, marking them the warmest towns in the region overnight.
In its forecast, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for rain and thunderstorms on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, along with an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall on Thursday.
“The maximum temperature will remain below 35°C over the next five days,” the Meteorological Centre Chandigarh stated.
Despite a rise of 1.6 degrees in Chandigarh’s day temperature since Sunday, overall temperatures in Punjab and Haryana stayed near or below normal by 2.7 degrees, with light to moderate rain reported at isolated locations, the IMD confirmed.
The season’s highest temperature so far in the region remains 44°C, recorded on June 10 in Chandigarh.
Looking ahead, the weather department expects partly cloudy skies, occasional thunderstorms, and intermittent rainfall in the tricity through June 28. Day temperatures will hover between 29°C and 35°C, and nights are likely to stay in the 26°C to 28°C range.
While the arrival of monsoon offers hope of sustained relief, Monday’s weather pattern suggests that the region will continue to oscillate between heat, humidity, and brief showers — at least for a few more days.
