Punjab weather alert: Rain, hailstorm likely in next 24 hours, orange alert issued

Punjab weather alert: The Punjab State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) on Monday issued an alert warning of rain, hailstorms and strong winds in parts of the state over the next 24 hours.

Districts, including Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Pathankot, Rupnagar and SAS Nagar, are expected to witness thunderstorms, besides rain and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40–50 kmph.  The weather in the tricity (Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula) has been remained cloudy since morning, following rainfall on Sunday. The mercury fell by around 4.3 degrees Celsius due to the change in weather conditions.

Rainfall at the end of March has brought some relief from rising heat, but it has also raised concerns among farmers. Strong winds and showers have flattened wheat crops in several districts, including Patiala, Sangrur and Hoshiarpur. Reports of hailstorms from areas like Sardulgarh have further added to the damage.

Experts said the current weather is being influenced by a western disturbance. With wheat crops nearing harvest, continued rain and winds may affect yield. There are also concerns about damage to seasonal fruits and vegetables such as melon and cucumber.

The Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rainfall across Punjab on March 30 and 31. An orange alert has been issued for March 30, while a yellow alert is in place for March 31.