PTC Web Desk:  A sudden spell of heavy rain swept across Chandigarh on Saturday, catching residents and commuters by surprise as showers intensified within minutes.

With little warning of such heavy rainfall, many people stepped out without umbrellas and were forced to take shelter as rain lashed several parts of the city. The downpour brought relief from the ongoing heat and humidity, but also created inconvenience for people travelling on the roads.

The latest spell comes just two days after Chandigarh experienced another intense bout of rain that resulted in waterlogging and flooding in several parts of the city.

Chandigarh Traffic Police issue advisory 

Following the sudden rain, the Chandigarh Traffic Police urged motorists to exercise caution on wet roads. Drivers have been advised to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance from vehicles ahead and avoid splashing water on pedestrians and other motorists.

The traffic police also warned that water splashes from moving vehicles can cover windscreens with muddy water, reducing visibility and increasing the possibility of accidents.

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IMD forecasts more rain in Northwest India

The fresh spell of rain comes as monsoon activity remains strong over northwest India. The India Meteorological Department has forecast light to moderate rain and thunderstorms at isolated places in several areas.

Delhi also received showers early Saturday, offering some relief from hot and humid weather. The IMD has forecast light to moderate rain and thundershowers at isolated locations in the national capital, with temperatures likely to remain between 25°C and 36°C.

No severe red or orange warning is currently in place for Delhi, although intermittent rain and high humidity are expected to continue.

Parts of Haryana also witnessed monsoon activity. In Jhajjar district, partly cloudy conditions with the possibility of light rain or thunderstorms are expected until August 24.

Heavy rain disrupts life in several states

The monsoon has remained active across several parts of India, with heavy rainfall reported in Himachal Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Odisha, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.

In Uttarakhand's Garhwal region, continued rainfall has disrupted normal life and pushed up water levels in major rivers. Authorities have remained on alert amid the risk of rain-related incidents.

Garhwal Commissioner Anand Swaroop urged residents to remain cautious during the ongoing monsoon season, saying that several disaster-related incidents had already been reported and river levels had risen significantly.

Himachal Pradesh has also been affected by persistent rainfall. The State Emergency Operation Centre reported that 166 roads, including National Highway-003, were blocked. Around 130 power transformers and 222 water supply schemes were also affected.

Mandi was among the worst-hit districts for road connectivity, with 84 roads reported blocked.

In Odisha, authorities continued monitoring flood-affected areas as more heavy rain was forecast. As of August 15, floodwater had affected 429 villages across 52 blocks, while 79 rescue teams had been deployed. The Central Water Commission also warned of the possibility of flash floods in parts of the state.