Chandigarh, April 3: A significant shift in weather patterns is expected to lash the Tricity and surrounding states starting today, as the IMD issued an orange alert for widespread thunderstorms and hailstorms. The alert, effective for Friday and Saturday, warns that an active western disturbance will bring scattered rainfall and powerful winds across Punjab and Haryana.
Weather officials affirmed that the upcoming two days would be characterized by unstable atmospheric conditions, followed by a slight reprieve. A second, less intense system is expected to follow on Tuesday and Wednesday, maintaining a pattern of intermittent rain and lightning across the northern plains.
“Maximum temperatures in the Tricity are expected to hover between 30°C and 32°C, while minimum temperatures will range between 15°C and 19°C,” the weather department maintained. This follows a 24-hour period where temperatures in some parts of the region, such as Gurugram, climbed well above normal levels before the clouds moved in.
The potential for hail has put regional farmers on edge, as harvested produce currently lying in the open remains vulnerable to moisture damage. Agricultural experts stated that strong winds could cause significant losses to the rabi crop, which is currently in its final stages.
In a set of safety guidelines, the IMD asserted that growers should take immediate steps to secure their yields. “The state government has already started a number of initiatives to warn rural areas about the risk of lodging,” a regional official noted, adding that irrigation should be halted immediately to prevent soil loosening.
Residents in urban areas have been told to avoid seeking shelter under trees or near water bodies during the peak of the storm. Despite the dry spell recorded in the previous 24 hours, the incoming system is expected to bring the first significant moisture of the month to much of the region.
