After days of relentless heatwave conditions, a welcome change in the weather brought much-needed relief to residents across Punjab and Haryana on Sunday. Cloudy skies and scattered light showers brought down the soaring mercury levels in several parts of both states, offering a breather from the scorching summer sun.
In Chandigarh, overcast conditions prevailed for most of the day, accompanied by a light drizzle in the afternoon. The maximum temperature in the city dipped slightly and was recorded at 37.7 degree Celsius, close to the seasonal norm. Though not a major downpour, the shift in weather was enough to provide comfort to residents who had been reeling under temperatures hovering around 40-45 degree Celsius for the past several days.
According to the local Meteorological Department, Patiala and Ferozepur in Punjab reported light rainfall. Patiala, in particular, witnessed a notable dip in temperature, registering a maximum of 34.1 degree Celsius. Other cities that experienced marginal relief include Amritsar (39.5 degree Celsius), Ludhiana (38.6 degree Celsius), Pathankot (39.8 degree Celsius), Ferozepur (39 degree Celsius), Gurdaspur (39 degree Celsius), and Bathinda (42.2 degree Celsius).
In Haryana, Narnaul and Rohtak received brief spells of rain. The rainfall helped bring down the day temperature to 38.5 degree Celsius in Narnaul and 34.6 degree Celsius in Rohtak. Other key towns such as Karnal (34 degree Celsius) and Ambala (36.5 degree Celsius) also reported temperatures below the 40-degree mark. However, Sirsa remained the hottest in the state, recording a high of 41.4 degree Celsius, while Hisar registered 39 degree Celsius.
The regional Met office highlighted a significant drop in average maximum temperatures across both states. In Punjab, the average maximum temperature fell by 4.9 degrees Celsius, while in Haryana, it declined by a steeper 6.3 degrees Celsius compared to Saturday.
Though the respite is temporary, the slight change in weather has raised hopes for more widespread showers in the coming days. The drop in temperature has also eased pressure on power supply systems, which had been struggling under peak demand due to the heatwave.
With monsoon arrival still a few weeks away, meteorologists continue to advise caution, urging residents to stay hydrated and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun during the day. Nonetheless, Sunday’s overcast skies have offered a brief, yet much-needed, pause in an otherwise relentless summer.
