Punjab, Haryana Rain on Oct 24-25 After 10-Day Dry Spell, Says IMD
Image: The Tribune (file photo)
The India Meteorological Department’s Chandigarh centre has forecast light rain at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana on 24 and 25 October, the first wet days after a 10-day dry spell. A fresh western disturbance reaches northwest India from 24 October, and an upper-air cyclonic circulation over north Haryana adds to it, according to the bulletin issued on Wednesday, 21 October. Rain on 24 October is expected in south-western Punjab and adjoining western Haryana; on 25 October it spreads to northern Punjab and more parts of western Haryana, The Tribune reported.
Light Showers, Not a Washout
Only light rainfall is forecast, so little disruption is expected on fields and roads. For 24 October, IMD’s all-India outlook adds thunderstorms and lightning for Delhi, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan, with winds of 30-40 km/h and gusts up to 50 km/h in some places, according to Down To Earth’s summary of the bulletin. IMD advises farmers in rain-affected areas to keep field drainage clear, protect harvested crops, and avoid spraying pesticides or fertiliser during rain or strong winds. Residents should stay away from open fields, isolated trees and electricity poles during thunderstorms.
October Is Already Wetter Than Normal
The dry spell follows an unusually wet month. From 1 October to the morning of 21 October, Punjab received 25.5 mm of rain against a long-period average of 7.7 mm, and Haryana 23.4 mm against 8.7 mm. That leaves the month above normal by 231 per cent in Punjab and 169 per cent in Haryana, even though the first week was severely deficient. Moga and Tarn Taran in Punjab, and Rewari, Mahendragarh and Bhiwani in Haryana, are still below average. Ropar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Yamunanagar, Ambala, Sonepat and Panchkula have been the wettest.
Temperatures are close to normal. In the 24 hours to Wednesday morning, Bathinda recorded a high of 33.5°C and Adampur a low of 14.0°C in Punjab, while Hisar touched 32.9°C and Narnaul 15.0°C in Haryana.
Snow in the Hills Comes First
The hills get the system earlier. Down To Earth reported that rain, thunderstorms and snowfall at higher altitudes are expected in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Uttarakhand from 23 October, and in Himachal Pradesh from 24 October. Delhi’s forecast for the same days is in our earlier weather report, and more is on the Weather Updates page. The Tribune report mentions no forecast beyond 25 October.
Source: IMD all-India weather bulletin. Also based on reporting by The Tribune and Down To Earth.
Image: The Tribune (file photo).
