Weather news: Day turned to night as thunderstorm, rain bring relief from scorching heat in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula
PTC Web Desk: A sudden change in weather gripped Punjab and the Tricity region—Chandigarh, Panchkula, and Mohali, on Wednesday with strong winds and isolated hailstorms reported across multiple areas. Thunderstorms with wind speeds reaching 50–60 km/h swept through cities, including Kharar, Chamkaur Sahib, Ropar, Nawanshahr, Anandpur Sahib, and Dasuya.
In several localities, dark clouds engulfed the skies, turning day into night. Rainfall was accompanied by hail in parts of Kurukshetra, Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, leading to brief yet intense weather disruptions. North India has witnessed a dramatic shift in weather patterns this week, with Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh experiencing everything from heatwaves and thunderstorms to hailstorms and heavy rains.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), an active alert remains in effect for the region until 7.30 pm, warning of gusty winds and possible lightning strikes. The alert also covers Derabassi, Patiala, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Jalandhar where wind speeds are likely to range between 40–50 km/h.
Despite the rainfall, temperatures remain high. Bathinda recorded the highest temperature in the state at 45.8°C, with a state-wide increase of 1°C in the average maximum temperature—currently 1.6°C above normal. Night temperatures are also expected to rise gradually.
Weather Forecast for Punjab Cities
Chandigarh: Partly cloudy skies with temperatures between 30°C to 41°C.
Amritsar: Partly cloudy with maximum temperature up to 43°C.
Jalandhar: Mostly sunny with some cloud cover; highs reaching 42°C.
Ludhiana: Partly cloudy, temperature ranging between 25°C to 44°C.
Patiala: Clear skies with sun dominance; highs around 41°C.
Mohali: Light cloud cover, temperatures between 30°C and 41°C.
Rain and relief across Himachal Pradesh
The weather in Himachal Pradesh also took a stormy turn. In Shimla, Sirmaur, and Solan, dark clouds rolled in after noon, accompanied by rainfall that brought temporary darkness to the region. The IMD issued an orange alert for Hamirpur, Mandi, Kangra, and Sirmaur, warning of storms and possible hail until evening.
Several towns recorded significant rainfall over the past 24 hours: Nichar: 12 mm, Sangla: 11.4 mm, Kukumseri: 9.6 mm, Kalpa: 6 mm, Reckong Peo: 3 mm, Naina Devi: 2 mm and Keylong: 1.5 mm.
Temperatures dropped in several districts following the showers. Bilaspur and Baddi registered a dip of over 2°C, bringing temporary relief from the heat.
From May 23, a stronger Western Disturbance is expected to hit the state, with forecasts indicating thunderstorms, hail, and even light snowfall in high-altitude areas like Lahaul-Spiti and Chamba on May 25–26. Yellow alerts are in place for multiple regions on May 23 and 24, including Kangra, Shimla, and Solan.
Haryana: Scorching heat forces school timing changes
In sharp contrast to the stormy conditions in parts of Punjab and Himachal, Haryana continues to battle a severe heatwave, with temperatures soaring past 45°C in several districts, including Sirsa, Hisar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, and Gurugram.
Twelve districts in Haryana remain under a heatwave warning, prompting the state government to modify school timings. In Hisar and Charkhi Dadri, schools for Classes 1 to 5 will now operate from 7 am to 12 noon, with teachers staying until 1.30 pm. In Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Rewari, the timing adjustment applies to Classes 1 to 8. Meanwhile, Mahendragarh has implemented changes from Class 1 to 12, including colleges, setting operating hours from 7 am to 12 noon.
There is growing speculation that more districts may adopt revised schedules as the heatwave continues unabated.
Rain Forecast
The IMD has predicted light to moderate rainfall on May 21, 23, 24, 25, and 26 in parts of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, while May 22 is expected to remain dry. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds (30–40 km/h) and lightning are likely during this period. Night-time heat will persist in the southern and southwestern parts of Punjab for the next three days.
- PTC NEWS
