Punjab weather: Heavy rain expected till July 6; Mohali and Patiala among nine districts put on alert

Punjab weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy rainfall at isolated locations in Punjab till July 6. Flash alerts have been issued in several districts of the state until 1 pm on Tuesday due to the ongoing monsoon activity.

According to the weather bureau, light to moderate rainfall is likely over most parts of northwest India during the next seven days. Isolated regions may also experience thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30–40 km/h.

Rain showers began across Punjab early Tuesday morning. By Monday evening, Patiala recorded 6 mm of rainfall, Fatehgarh Sahib 1 mm, and Rupnagar 2.5 mm. As a result, the state witnessed an average dip of 0.5°C in maximum temperatures, which currently remain 3.8°C below the seasonal average. The highest maximum temperature recorded was 38.6°C in Bathinda.

The IMD has also issued flash alerts for moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in Patiala, Mohali, Sangrur, Rajpura, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana East, Kharar, Rupnagar, and Nawanshahr. Strong winds and lightning activity are also expected in these areas.

Till Tuesday 8.30 am,  Amritsar recorded  34 mm, Ludhiana – 4 mm. Patiala – 22 mm, Pathankot – 6 m, Gurdaspur – 19 mm, SBS Nagar (Nawanshahr) – 21 mm and Rupnagar – 6 mm.

Rainfall is expected today in nine districts adjoining Himachal Pradesh, where a yellow alert has also been issued. These include Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Ludhiana, Rupnagar, Mohali, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala. Weather conditions in the remaining districts are likely to stay normal.

Punjab received 69.9 mm of rainfall in June — about 28% more than the normal average of 54.5 mm. The monsoon arrived in the state five days earlier than usual this year and has remained consistently active.