Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, June 28
With rain lashing the tricity this morning, the minimum temperature dropped to 23.7°C, providing respite to residents from the heat. The maximum temperature recorded today was 34.4°C, three degrees below normal. The tricity received 49.4 mm of rainfall today.
The fall in the mercury, however, resulted in an increase in the humidity index. With the temperature expected to rise by a couple of degrees over the next three days, the tricity will continue to witness warm and muggy weather. Monsoon is expected to hit the tricity in the next 48 to 72 hours, officials of the Chandigarh Met Department said.
According to the Met Department, the sky will remain partly cloudy for the next couple of days. The tricity is expected to get light to moderate rain and thundershowers.
Surinder Paul, Director, Chandigarh Met Department, said: “Rain activity will increase from June 30. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places on July 1 and 2 in parts of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali.”
He said moderate to heavy rain (6 to 9 cm) might occur from July 1 to 5 with possibility of very heavy rain (10 to 11 cm) during the same period.
Consequently, in the first and second week of July, the tricity will experience good rain accompanied by lightning and thunderstorms, the Met Department said.
Thunderstorm, accompanied by squall with a wind speed exceeding 45 kmph, is likely to occur in some parts of the tricity during this period.
The tricity is expected to get adequate rainfall in July and August. From June to September, an average rainfall of around 840 mm to 900 mm is expected.