Pre-monsoon showers bring respite, expect more today

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 4

The city today witnessed pre-monsoon showers. The Met Department recorded 29 mm of rainfall in the city till 8:30 am.

The downpour began early in the day, but fizzled out by afternoon. Humidity level increased following sunshine in the second half of the day. Due to pre-monsoon showers, high humidity will persist till the monsoon arrives.

The maximum relative humidity today was recorded at 95 per cent till 8:30 am and 75 per cent till 5:30 pm.

Severe heat waves had gripped the region for several weeks. A sudden spell of rain plummeted the maximum temperature in the city to 31.5°C, which is four degrees below normal. On Wednesday, the maximum temperature was recorded at 38.7°C, which was three degrees above normal.

The minimum temperature also dropped to 25.3°C, which is a notch above normal. On Wednesday, it was recorded at 31°C, which was six degrees above normal.

As per Surender Paul of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh, the pre-monsoon showers today were a result of western disturbances over Jammu & Kashmir and monsoon low pressure formed at northern Madhya Pradesh and western UP. The winds flowing from Southwest direction i.e. Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea would lead to more pre-monsoon showers on Friday, he added.

The weatherman has predicted generally cloudy conditions with light rain and thundershowers for another 24 hours. The monsoon is expected to reach the city by July 6. Till then, moderate to heavy rains have been predicted, which will further bring down the mercury.

While rain brought some respite from scorching heat, it also caused problems in some areas.

Harpreet Singh, a 43-year-old resident of Hallo Majra, said, “We had been awaiting monsoon for relief from heat. But the downpour only adds to our misery. It makes commuting harder. The roads here are in poor condition. Open manholes add to the risk of commuters.”

Motorists were seen struggling in waterlogged streets while pedestrians waded through ankle-deep rainwater at Industrial Area, Sector 34, Sector 20, Sector 19 and other areas of the city.