Chandigarh, June 22: The southwest monsoon has entered Punjab three days ahead of schedule, bringing relief from heat and promising a wet spell for large parts of Northwest India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Sunday.
In its latest bulletin issued on June 22, the IMD confirmed that the monsoon has advanced over most parts of Himachal Pradesh, entire Ladakh and Kashmir, and large areas of Jammu and Punjab. The revised northern limit of the monsoon now runs through Barmer, Jaipur, Agra, Rampur, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu and Pathankot.
“Conditions are favourable for further advance of the monsoon into parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu over the next two days,” the bulletin added.
The early onset marks a significant shift from last year, when the monsoon reached parts of Punjab only by June 27 and Haryana by June 28, covering both states entirely by July 2. In 2024, Punjab recorded 314.6 mm of rainfall against a seasonal normal of 439.8 mm, while Haryana received 409.4 mm compared to its average of 430.7 mm.
However, rainfall for June so far remains below the long-period average—by 11% in Punjab and 7% in Haryana. Over the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain and thunderstorms were reported at isolated locations, including Pathankot.
Meanwhile, day temperatures have dipped by up to 3°C, with no significant change expected in Punjab over the next three days. Haryana is likely to see a further drop of 3–4°C, the IMD forecast stated.
Meteorologists attribute the shift in weather patterns to an upper air cyclonic circulation over North-East Rajasthan extending up to 900 metres above mean sea level, and an East-West trough stretching from north Punjab to north Bihar via south Haryana—both facilitating monsoonal movement and precipitation.
Widespread rainfall is forecast across Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Punjab, and Haryana between June 22 and 28, with very heavy rain likely in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand from June 22 to 26, and in Haryana on June 22 and 25.
The IMD has placed Punjab and Haryana under orange alert—the second-highest warning level—for June 25, due to the likelihood of widespread rainfall and thunderstorms. A yellow alert remains in effect for both states through June 28.
Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds up to 40 kmph are expected across much of Northwest India until at least June 26, as the region braces for an intense but much-needed monsoon phase.
