Rain brings relief from heat, day’s temperature dips below normal in Punjab

After searing heatwave over the past few days, most areas of Punjab received varying amounts of rainfall overnight, keeping the day’s temperature well below normal. An intermittent wet spell is likely to continue for the next six days.

Barnala, SBS Nagar, Ludhiana and Ropar were among the wettest districts in the state, while most of the western border belt remained dry. Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran and Fazilka did not receive any rain.

The ongoing wet spell has covered up the rainfall deficiency that prevailed in the state during June. From June 1 to June 17, the state received 24.2 mm rainfall compared to the long-period average of 22 mm, making a surplus of 12 per cent. Last week, the monthly shortfall was around 22 per cent.

The day temperature in the state on Tuesday was up to 7.4°C below normal. It ranged from 28.6°C at SBS Nagar to 35.6°C at Faridkot.

The night temperature, however, was near normal, ranging from 21.4°C at Ludhiana to 27.6°C at Amritsar.

With three different weather systems comprising cyclonic circulations and western disturbances prevailing over the region, the weather department has predicted light to moderate rainfall at some places on June 17 and 23, at isolated places on June 18 and 19 and at many places on June 21 and 22.