Fresh western disturbance to hit north-west India on July 19, heavy rain expected in some areas

Amidst monsoon activity over Punjab and Haryana being termed as weak, a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect north-west India from July 19 along with the possibility of heavy rain.

A western disturbance is already prevailing over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu in lower and middle atmospheric levels. Satellite images released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday show a dense cloud cover along Punjab’s western borders and lighter patches over Jammu and Kashmir.

Light to moderate rain is likely at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana till July 18, at a few places on July 19 and at many places thereafter in the state. Heavy rain is likely at isolated places on June 20 and 21, a bulletin issued by IMD on July 15 said. The eastern areas of the state are likely to experience more rain than the south-western parts.

Over the past 24 hours, light to moderate rain occurred at isolated places in Punjab and Haryana, besides heavy rain along with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds were experienced at isolated places in Haryana.

During this period, rains were experienced in only five districts of Punjab - Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Ropar and Nawanshahr, whereas these were more widespread in Haryana, especially the south-eastern parts of the state covering Charki Dadri, Faridabad, Gurugram, Jhajjar, Karnal, Nuh, Palwal, Rewari, Rohtak and Sonipat.

Rainfall in Punjab for July so far has been 14 per cent below the long period average (LPA), with the state receiving 59.4 mm rainfall from July 1 till July 15 against the LPA of 68.8 mm for this period.

Haryana received 67.1 mm rainfall in July so far against the LPA of 69.2, marking a deficit of 3 per cent. The seasonal rains since June 1 have been below the LPA by 28 per cent in Punjab and 22 per cent in Haryana.