What appeared to be a clear, sunny May morning suddenly transformed into stormy chaos on Sunday in Ludhiana. The dawn sky grew thick with rainclouds, and the wind howled, causing city residents to marvel and cower simultaneously.
Storm Causes Damage Across the City
As the wind tore through the city, tin sheds were ripped off, and tree branches crashed down on roads. The smattering of clouds on Saturday evening had made residents look forward to a cool weekend, but no one was prepared for the thunderstorm that followed. While most people stayed indoors, a few ventured onto verandahs to shoot videos. Scared by loose objects flying around and reduced visibility, anxious residents called friends and relatives. However, the storm passed almost as suddenly as it had started, leaving signs of damage and a cool breeze.
"While the rainfall brought relief from the heat, it was scary in the morning when high-speed winds shook up heavy objects. I was frightened," said city resident Amarjit Kaur. She added that the rain also led to waterlogging, causing inconvenience.
Rainfall Record and Temperature Drop
According to the met department, Ludhiana recorded 24.6 millimetres of rainfall from 8:30 am on Saturday to 8:30 am on Sunday, the highest for any city in the state. Mohali received 19 millimetres, while Patiala, Pathankot, and Faridkot received trace amounts. The impact of rainfall reflected on the minimum (night) temperature in Ludhiana, which was recorded at 18 degrees Celsius, 3.7 degrees below normal and 3.2 degrees less than a day before. The maximum (day) temperature was recorded at 33.4 degrees Celsius, 4.6 degrees below normal and 4.6 degrees less than a day before.
Orange Alert Issued for Next Two Days
The met department has issued an orange alert for the district over the next two days, predicting "thunderstorm accompanied by hailstorm and strong surface winds." The department also indicated that day temperatures are likely to remain below normal for the next few days.
Residents Share Their Experiences
"The storm was apocalyptical. It did not build up slowly but turned on its full fury in minutes. I was getting ready to make breakfast when the storm hit. I could do nothing till it passed because I feared damage to the house," said Sarika Chawla, a city resident. Santha Surendran, a nurse from the city, also expressed concern about the damage. "Weather has turned unpredictable these days. Such an intense storm is not usual for the city. Normally, my gruelling work schedule does not even let me differentiate morning from night. On Sunday, however, I was worried for everyone," she said. The exact wind speed could not be recorded as Ludhiana does not have an automatic weather station.
Expected Day Temperatures for the Coming Days
- May 4: 38 degrees Celsius
- May 5: 37 degrees Celsius
- May 6: 34 degrees Celsius
- May 7: 36 degrees Celsius
- May 8: 37 degrees Celsius
