CHANDIGARH, Oct 7 — In an unusual post-monsoon downpour, the city on Monday recorded 33.4 mm of rainfall — its wettest October day since 2004 — bringing sharp temperature drops and waterlogging across several areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light rain began early Monday, with 0.1 mm recorded till 8:30 am. Between 11 am and 11:30 am, rainfall intensified to 8 mm, followed by a heavy spell from 2:30 pm to the early evening, adding another 33 mm. The Sector 39 IMD observatory, which has been maintaining records since 2012, registered its highest-ever October rainfall in a single day.
At the airport observatory, the previous October record stood at 129.6 mm, logged on October 12, 2004 — the highest for the month since 1954. Monday’s rainfall alone surpassed the city’s monthly average of 22.2 mm.
IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul attributed the rain to a strong Western Disturbance (WD) interacting with other active systems. “We normally don’t see so much rain in October. Monday’s rain was the result of a strong Western Disturbance. Even though the monsoon had withdrawn, the WD drew in easterly winds that are usually active during the monsoon,” he said. Paul added that Cyclone Shakti, currently active over the Arabian Sea, also contributed moisture to the system, intensifying the showers.
The heavy rain brought a significant drop in temperature, with the maximum plunging from 36°C on Sunday to 24.8°C on Monday — 7.8 degrees below normal. This marks the lowest October day temperature since 2021, when it had dipped to 19.3°C. Last year, temperatures had remained above 30°C throughout the month.
Paul said the sharp decline was expected due to widespread rains and fresh snowfall in Himachal Pradesh beginning Sunday. “The rain and snow over the hills have had a cooling effect. While the temperature may rise slightly once the skies clear, cooler days are likely ahead as the season changes,” he explained.
The IMD has forecast intermittent rainfall for Tuesday, though with reduced intensity. Clearer skies are expected by Wednesday. Over the next three days, maximum temperatures are likely to hover between 26°C and 29°C, with minimums between 19°C and 20°C.
While the city may experience mild chill in the days ahead, Paul noted that the true winter onset remains distant. “It has started snowing in Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir, which will influence temperatures here. Global systems like La Niña indicate a colder winter, but that will only begin around December,” he said.
Meanwhile, Monday’s rain provided brief respite from the lingering heat but also led to scattered disruptions and heavy traffic across low-lying areas. For now, Chandigarh’s residents can expect a few cooler days — a rare October gift from the Western Disturbance.
