Downpour batters Chandigarh, Mohali

Moderate rain lashed Chandigarh and Mohali in the past 24 hours, leading to widespread waterlogging and disruption in power and water supply in major parts of both cities on Sunday.

While Mohali recorded 41-mm rainfall, which was second highest in the region after 44.5-mm logged at Hoshiarpur in Punjab, Chandigarh received 39.4-mm downpour, which was third highest in the region, comprising Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana.

However, Panchkula witnessed scattered rain (0.5 mm) in the past 24 hours.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) today issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rain coupled with thunderstorm at isolated places in Chandigarh and Haryana on Tuesday. Besides, a yellow alert has been issued for heavy rain in Chandigarh and Haryana on Monday and at isolated places in Punjab on Tuesday.

The downpour brought relief from the hot and humid weather conditions but left most of the roads and streets waterlogged in Chandigarh and Mohali. Traffic chaos and disruption in power and water supply were reported from many areas.

Despite the rain, the day temperature went up While UT recorded 34.7 degree Celsius of maximum temperature, which was 1.4 degrees up than yesterday and 1.5 degrees above normal, Mohali logged 33.7 degree Celsius maximum temperature, which was 0.2 degree more than yesterday.

The minimum temperature, however, dipped slightly to settle at 26 and 25.5 degree Celsius in Chandigarh and Mohali, which was 0.2 and 0.7 degree less than previous night, respectively.

Panchkula logged 32.6 and 26.5 degree Celsius maximum and minimum temperature, which 0.3 and 0.1 degree less than yesterday, respectively.

The relative humidity in Chandigarh remained high at 92%.

The weatherman has predicted a generally and partly cloudy sky with thunderstorms and rain in the tricity region for the next five days till August 8 with maximum and minimum temperature likely to remain between 31 and 25 degree Celsius.

“As compared to yesterday, there was a rise of 1.4 and 1.2 degree Celsius in the average maximum temperature, which was near normal in Punjab and Haryana, respectively, on Sunday,” the IMD said.