CHANDIGARH, May 9 — Weather officials have warned residents of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh to brace for volatile weather conditions beginning Monday, May 11. The yellow alert issued by the IMD highlights a risk of lightning and high-velocity winds gusting between 40 and 50 kmph as a fresh weather system moves across the northern plains.
The IMD stated that the alert will remain in force until Thursday, targeting isolated locations across both states. Forecasters noted that the sharpest threat of thunderstorms and rain is expected during the first 48 hours of the alert period. However, the weather office declared that the atmosphere would clear by Friday, leading into a dry Saturday.
The mercury is expected to rise steadily before the storms arrive. Meteorologists affirmed that maximum temperatures will increase by several degrees, with night temperatures also growing progressively warmer as May deepens. In Haryana, average maximums currently trail the seasonal normal by 3.2°C, but the upcoming heat spike is expected to close that gap.
Analysis of recent weather patterns shows that Chandigarh has logged 100.8 mm of rain since March 1, a figure the IMD stated is 162.5 percent above the seasonal normal. While the past 24 hours remained dry, officials asserted that the impending shifts are typical of May’s transitional climate. Local administrations have been advised to monitor the situation, particularly regarding the potential for gusty winds to impact temporary structures and power lines.
