Rain and Thunderstorms Disrupt Life in Punjab and Haryana, Republic Day Rehearsals Cancelled
Widespread rain accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds has severely impacted large parts of Punjab, Haryana, and the Tricity region, including Chandigarh, SAS Nagar (Mohali), and Panchkula. This adverse weather has disrupted daily activities and forced the cancellation of Republic Day dress rehearsals in several districts of Punjab.
IMD Nowcast and Weather Predictions
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rain with thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds ranging between 30 and 40 kmph is likely to continue over the Tricity and adjoining areas for the next two to three hours. The IMD has issued specific warnings for various regions:
- Moderate thunderstorms with wind speeds of 40–60 kmph, accompanied by lightning and hail, are very likely over parts of Patiala, Rajpura, Dera Bassi, and Mohali.
- Similar thunderstorm activity with lightning is forecast over Samana, Nabha, Fatehgarh Sahib, Amloh, Bassi Pathana, Khanna, Kharar, Khamanon, Chamkaur Sahib, Samrala, Rup Nagar, Balachaur, Anandpur Sahib, and Nangal, besides Chandigarh and Mohali.
- Light rain is predicted over several districts of Punjab, including Budhlada, Lehra, Mansa, Sunam, Sangrur, Barnala, Tapa, Dhuri, Malerkotla, Moonak, Patran, Patiala, Nabha, Ludhiana, Moga, Jagraon, Raikot, Phillaur, Nakodar, Phagwara, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Nawanshahr, Hoshiarpur, Batala, and Bhulath over the next two to three hours.
In Haryana, the IMD nowcast indicates moderate rain over districts including Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Rohtak, Sonipat, Panipat, Jind, Kaithal, Ambala, Panchkula, and Chandigarh, while light rain is likely over Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal, Rewari, Hisar, Fatehabad, Sirsa, and adjoining areas.
Rainfall and Temperature Data
Over the past 24 hours, Gurdaspur recorded the highest rainfall in Punjab at 48.7 mm, followed by Pathankot with 34.2 mm and Amritsar with 25.2 mm. In Haryana, Bhiwani received the highest rainfall at 15 mm, followed by Ambala with 14.5 mm and Chandigarh with 13.2 mm.
The IMD attributes the current weather conditions to a western disturbance seen as a trough in the middle and upper tropospheric westerlies, along with a cyclonic circulation over north Pakistan, which has merged with the system. A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from January 26.
According to the IMD forecast, light to moderate rainfall is likely at most places in Punjab on January 23 and will continue till January 28. Despite the ongoing rainfall since the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, the IMD noted a sharp rise in minimum temperatures across Punjab. Compared to Thursday, the minimum temperature on Friday rose by 6.7 degrees Celsius, remaining markedly above normal by 6.4 degrees. The lowest minimum temperature in the state on Friday morning was recorded at 8.5 degrees Celsius, which was 3.5 degrees higher than the previous day.
In Haryana, the average minimum temperature rose by 6.6 degrees Celsius compared to Thursday, staying appreciably above normal by 4.8 degrees. Narnaul in Mahendragarh district recorded the lowest minimum temperature in the state on Friday morning.
Impact on Republic Day Preparations
The inclement weather has acted as a spoilsport for Republic Day preparations across the region. Dress rehearsals planned in several districts were cancelled due to the rain. For instance, in Punjab’s Sangrur, the dress rehearsal scheduled for Friday was called off, as confirmed by the district administration. This disruption highlights the significant impact of the weather on public events and daily life in the affected areas.
Residents are advised to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts from IMD and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during this period of adverse conditions.
