Chandigarh recorded a scorching 40.7 degrees Celsius on Saturday as heatwave conditions returned to the region. The southwest monsoon is still missing from northwest India, and dry weather has tightened its grip over Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana.
According to The Tribune, the temperature on Saturday was 4.4 degrees above normal. This made Chandigarh the second hottest station in Punjab, behind only Bathinda.
IMD issues yellow alert as heatwave returns
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for Sunday and Monday. The alert comes after several days of isolated pre-monsoon thunderstorms and largely ineffective weather alerts. Dry weather has now returned, allowing temperatures to rise steadily once again.
As reported by The Tribune, the next significant spell of rain is expected only towards the end of the coming week.
Rain likely from Thursday
According to the forecast, the Tricity is likely to witness partly cloudy skies, thunderstorms and rainfall from Thursday to Sunday, as per an Instagram post.
The IMD bulletin indicates that the southwest monsoon is still showing no signs of entering northwest India. This delay has pushed the region back into heatwave conditions after a brief period of pre-monsoon activity.
Our Take: The wait for monsoon relief continues
To put it plainly, the return of heatwave conditions is a clear sign that the monsoon is running late for northwest India. The yellow alert from the IMD is a warning that people should take precautions against the heat. The good news is that rain is expected from Thursday, which should bring some relief. But until then, residents of Chandigarh, Punjab, and Haryana will have to endure another spell of intense heat. In our view, this delay highlights the unpredictability of the monsoon this year, and it is important for authorities to be prepared for any weather-related emergencies.