Punjab and Haryana to witness wet spell till April 25; farmers worried
Chandigarh/Mohali, April 20: Punjab and Haryana farmers are a worried lot as the Meteorological Department has extended its forecast for ongoing rainfall in northwest India until April 25.
Initially predicted until April 21, the Met department now warns of a fresh western disturbance affecting the region from April 22. The bulletin issued by the Meteorological Department states, "Under its influence, scattered rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds with speeds of 30-40 kmph is expected over Punjab during April 19-22."
The forecast includes scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall and snowfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds over Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on April 19-20, with isolated to scattered rainfall expected during April 21-25.
These weather patterns are attributed to a western disturbance as a cyclonic circulation prevailing over north Pakistan and its neighbourhood in middle and upper tropospheric westerlies. Additionally, an induced cyclonic circulation lies over Pakistan and adjoining Punjab in lower tropospheric levels, contributing to the current bouts of rain over parts of northwest India.
In the last 24 hours, various areas of Punjab also experienced rain, with sharp showers and strong winds starting Friday evening. The ongoing harvesting of rabi crops has been significantly impacted by a western disturbance triggering thunderstorms, rain, and hail in several parts of Haryana and Punjab.
Reports from Karnal, Ambala, Jind, Kaithal, Kurukshetra and adjoining areas confirm instances of light rain and thunderstorms.
- With inputs from our correspondent
