The brief relief from Sunday night's thunderstorm is fading fast. Temperatures are climbing again across Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana, even as the region continues to wait for the southwest monsoon to arrive.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh's minimum temperature jumped by 3.9 degrees Celsius to 26.1°C on Tuesday. This was one of the sharpest overnight increases in the region. Despite the steep rise, the minimum temperature remained 1.5 degrees below normal, showing that the cooling effect of Sunday's showers has not completely disappeared.
Daytime temperatures also rise
The maximum temperature in Chandigarh also increased by 0.8 degree Celsius to 39.8°C, according to The Tribune. This means both day and night temperatures are rising again after the brief respite.
A day earlier, Chandigarh had recorded the coolest night in the entire Punjab-Haryana region after receiving 5.1 mm of rainfall from Sunday night's thunderstorm. That relief, however, appears to be short-lived.
Monsoon still awaited
The southwest monsoon, which typically brings widespread rain to the region, has not yet arrived. The wait continues for Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana, where temperatures are climbing back up.
The IMD data shows that while the minimum temperature in Chandigarh rose sharply, it remained below normal levels. This suggests that the region is still feeling some effects of the earlier rain, but the overall trend is toward hotter conditions again.
Our Take: A reminder of monsoon uncertainty
This pattern of brief relief followed by a return of heat is typical during the pre-monsoon period. But it also highlights how dependent the region is on the monsoon's arrival for sustained cooling. The sharp rise in temperatures after just one thunderstorm shows that without the monsoon, the heat will keep coming back.
For residents of Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana, this means staying prepared for more hot days ahead. The monsoon's arrival will bring real relief, but until then, the mercury will likely keep climbing after every short spell of rain.