Orange alert in Chandigarh: Fresh western disturbance to bring hail, gusty winds on March 29, 30
Rainfall is expected in Punjab, with intensity likely to increase; similar conditions are expected over Haryana and Chandigarh
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula for Sunday (March 29) and Monday (March 30), warning of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds, and hailstorms as a fresh western disturbance tightens its grip over the Himalayan region.
According to a special weather bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, on Saturday, the western disturbance -- already affecting the Himalayan belt since March 28 -- will intensify its influence over the plains from Sunday. Under its impact, rainfall activity is expected to increase sharply in intensity and distribution across Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh on March 29 and 30.
IMD issues orange alert
For Chandigarh, the IMD has forecast light to moderate rainfall at many places on both Sunday and Monday, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning. Gusty winds blowing at 40–50 kmph are expected, with gusts reaching up to 60 kmph. Hailstorm is also likely on both days. Saturday (March 28) had already seen light to moderate rainfall at isolated places in the Tricity, with the disturbance beginning to make its presence felt.
The five-day forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre spells out the sequence clearly: light rainfall at many places on March 29 and 30, tapering to isolated places from March 31 onward, with no weather warning for the last three days of the forecast window.
Temperatures to dip
The IMD has forecast no significant change in maximum temperature in the next 24 hours, followed by a fall of 3-4°C over the subsequent two days, coinciding with the peak of the disturbance, before a recovery of 2-4°C thereafter. On Saturday, Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 32.9°C -- a rise of 2.9°C over the previous day -- while the minimum stood at 16.1°C, which is 2.2°C above normal. Relative humidity oscillated between a high of 90 per cent and a low of 62 per cent through the day.
In the broader region, Punjab’s highest maximum temperature on Saturday was 33.3°C, recorded at Patiala, while Haryana touched 34.7°C at Nuh. In contrast, Mohali (Tricity) recorded a maximum of 31.8°C.
The five-day temperature forecast for the Tricity pegs the maximum at 31°C for Sunday through Tuesday, rising marginally to 32°C on April 1. Minimum temperatures will range between 15°C and 21°C over the same period.
Past 24 hours
The Tricity had a relatively mild Saturday through the morning hours. The IMD morning bulletin noted light rain at isolated places in Punjab, while Haryana remained largely dry. In Chandigarh, a brief drizzle was recorded between 6:30 am and 6:45 am on Friday, followed by spells of light rain from 6:45 am to 8:15 am and again from 8:35 am to 8:44 am. Saturday's daytime, however, was largely clear with calm to light northwesterly winds.
Check IMD's next week's weather forecast
After the storm on Sunday and Monday, the Tricity is likely to see partly cloudy skies with thundershowers continuing on March 31 and April 2, with a brief respite on April 1 when partly cloudy conditions without rain activity are forecast. Maximum temperatures will hover around 31-32°C through the week, with minimums in the 15-18°C range.
Advisory
The IMD has advised residents to avoid going outdoors during thunderstorm or hailstorm events and to stay away from trees. Farmers have been specifically cautioned to suspend all field operations and protect standing wheat and other rabi crops from strong winds and hail. Irrigation and spraying of pesticides or fertilisers should be avoided during the alert period.
