Tricity braces for wet spell early next week

Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula are set for an active wet spell early next week as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and heavy to very heavy rainfall across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh between October 5 and 7.

The special weather bulletin issued on Thursday evening flagged the possibility of hailstorms on October 5 and 6 in Punjab and October 6 in Haryana. According to the IMD, a fresh western disturbance will become active over northwest India from October 4, affecting the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains, including the Tricity. Under its influence, rainfall and thunderstorm activity is expected to intensify.

On October 6, Chandigarh and surrounding districts could see widespread rain accompanied by winds gusting up to 40–50 kmph, while isolated places may experience very heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, Thursday’s weather remained relatively stable in the region. Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 35°C and a minimum of 24.1°C, both near normal. Mohali registered a high of 34.5°C with a minimum of 25.1°C, while Panchkula stayed within the same range. For the coming days, the IMD has forecast partly clear skies over the Tricity on October 3 and 4. Conditions will turn partly cloudy with thunder and rain from October 5 onwards. The department has urged residents to remain alert to weather warnings, particularly on October 6 and 7, when intense rainfall and hailstorm activity could affect mobility and crop harvesting in the region.

What’s driving upcoming stormy spell

Meteorologists attribute the upcoming wet phase to a western disturbance, a weather system that brings moisture from the Mediterranean region into northwest India. When these disturbances interact with local conditions over the Himalayas and adjoining plains, they trigger thunderstorms, strong winds and heavy rainfall. The October 5-7 spell is expected to be intense, with IMD cautioning of hailstorms and very heavy rain.

For Chandigarh, this means a sharp shift from the calm skies of early October to stormy, rain-soaked conditions.