Punjab and Haryana Witness Higher-than-Expected Rain, Residents Battle Chill

Punjab and Haryana experienced higher-than-expected rainfall in January , with cold conditions and widespread fog affecting several districts, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Saturday.

In Punjab , the state recorded 34.4 mm of rainfall , which is 69 percent above the normal of 20.3 mm. Districts including Amritsar, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, and Moga received rainfall above expected levels, while Bathinda and Faridkot recorded lower-than-expected precipitation. The coldest spot in the state was Faridkot at 3.8°C , with Bathinda at 4°C, Ludhiana at 5.4°C, Patiala at 5.6°C, Amritsar at 6.2°C , and Gurdaspur at 6°C . Fog was reported in Amritsar, Patiala, and Ludhiana , reducing visibility in the mornings.

In Haryana , the state received 19.6 mm rainfall , 35 percent above the normal 14.5 mm . Excess rainfall was reported in Ambala, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jhajjar, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat, and Yamunanagar , whereas Charkhi Dadri, Sirsa, and Sonipat fell short of expected levels. Karnal was the coldest district at 4.5°C , followed by Hisar at 4.9°C, Bhiwani at 5.5°C, Narnaul at 6°C , and Rohtak at 7.8°C . Fog was observed in Ambala, Karnal, and Hisar , causing low visibility in several areas.

Chandigarh , the joint capital of both states, received 63.6 mm of rainfall , 69 percent above normal , and recorded a minimum temperature of 7.7°C . Residents woke up to a thick blanket of fog , impacting road travel and morning activities.

The IMD attributed the higher rainfall to active western disturbances( temperate cyclones), while the ongoing cold wave is likely to persist in northern India , with morning fog expected to continue in several districts.