More rain likely in border areas

After parts of Punjab and Haryana experienced heavy rainfall over the past week, weather experts are predicting another spell of late monsoon activity, particularly in Haryana. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast rainfall accompanied by thunderstorm and gusty winds over the next three days.

According to Surinder Paul, Director of the Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, rainfall is expected on September 17, 18, and 19. He attributed this to a depression in the Bay of Bengal, which is expected to primarily affect Haryana and the bordering areas of Patiala in Punjab.

However, Paul noted that Punjab has witnessed below average rainfall this year. As of September 16, Punjab has recorded 306.6 mm rainfall, which is significantly lower than the state’s average of 413.3 mm, marking a deficit of 26 per cent.

The IMD report shows that while Punjab received 156.6 mm rainfall between August 1 and 31, slightly above the long-term average of 146.2 mm for the period, many districts remain rain-deficient.

While the rainfall is expected to provide some respite from heat, it brings mixed outcomes. Prolonged rain may pose challenges to infrastructure and certain crops. Additionally, stagnant water may increases the risk of mosquito breeding, posing a public health concern.

KK Gill, Meteorologist at PAU, Ludhiana, said, “While heavy rain was witnessed in other parts of the country, Punjab has not witnessed heavy rain so far. Complaint of discoloration, false smut, leaf folder in the paddy crop have already been reported in some parts of the state. Waterlogging due to rain may also result in lodging of the crop. For the cotton crop, it’s time for ball formation and heavy rainfall may cause damage to it.”

Tarn Taran district has recorded a rainfall deficit of 60 per cent, followed by Bathinda (58 per cent), Hoshiarpur (54 per cent), Mohali (47 per cent), Moga and SBS Nagar (43 per cent both) and Ferozepur (40 per cent).