Chandigarh, May 3: Heavy rainfall and high-velocity winds swept across Punjab and Chandigarh on Sunday morning, significantly cooling the region after days of intense heat. The Meteorological Department recorded various rainfall levels by 8:30 a.m., including 24.6 mm in Ludhiana and 19.7 mm in the capital, while forecasting continued stormy weather and potential hailstorms for the next two days.
The change in weather, while refreshing for residents facing a 42-degree Celsius heatwave, created immediate logistical hurdles. Visibility remained low during the early hours, and the gusts caused structural damage to several residential sheds and roofs. Public life saw a temporary standstill as traffic was derailed by fallen trees and power lines, leading to extensive outages in both urban and rural sectors.
Farmers have expressed anxiety regarding the timing of the storm. Those with wheat crops awaiting sale in markets faced the immediate threat of spoilage, despite administrative efforts to provide temporary sheds. Dr. Harvinder Singh Sidhu, Chief Agriculture Officer of Mansa, affirmed the risks posed by the sudden moisture. “Due to excessive rainfall in many districts, water can stagnate in the fields, which can cause the crop to rot,” he maintained during an advisory to cotton growers.
In Ludhiana, the mercury plummeted to 24 degrees Celsius, providing a stark contrast to the previous week’s scorching conditions. Residents noted that the cooling effect was immediate, though the accompanying thunder and lightning kept many indoors. Beyond the major hubs, rain was also reported in Patiala, Pathankot, Faridkot, Sangrur, Barnala, and Bathinda.
Weather officials declared that the region remains under a three-day alert. They noted that winds are expected to maintain speeds of up to 80 kilometers per hour through Tuesday, advising the public to remain cautious of falling debris and further disruptions to the power grid.
