North-West India Sees Widespread Rain and Falling Temperatures

Punjab and Haryana have witnessed a sharp shift in weather conditions over the past two days, with intermittent rainfall and a cold wave bringing temperatures below normal across both states. According to data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Punjab has received more than double its normal rainfall for January so far, while Haryana’s monthly rainfall has moved from deficit to clear surplus.

Punjab Rainfall Crosses 100% Surplus

From January 1 to January 24, Punjab recorded 27.2 mm of rainfall, compared to the long-period average of 13.4 mm, marking a 103% surplus.

Wettest Districts in Punjab

• Gurdaspur: 89.6 mm

• Pathankot: 67.1 mm

• SBS Nagar: 56.1 mm

Other districts such as Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Ropar also received significant rainfall.

However, parts of south-west Punjab continue to face rainfall deficiency, including Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, and Bathinda.

Haryana Rainfall Turns Surplus After Deficit

Haryana has received 15.2 mm of rainfall so far in January, against a normal average of 10.2 mm, resulting in a 49% surplus. Until Friday, the state had been facing a 33% rainfall deficit, which has now reversed due to recent showers.

Wettest Districts in Haryana

• Kurukshetra: 42.1 mm

• Yamunagar: 25.1 mm

• Karnal: 24.2 mm

Meanwhile, districts such as Sirsa, Nuh, Faridabad, Panchkula, and Sonepat remain below average rainfall levels.

Temperatures Dip Below Normal

Rainfall combined with snowfall in neighbouring hill regions has led to a notable drop in both day and night temperatures.

Minimum Temperatures

• Punjab: 0.8°C (Bathinda) to 5°C (Anandpur Sahib), up to 4.8°C below normal

• Haryana: 1.6°C (Hisar) to 9.5°C (Faridabad), up to 5.4°C below normal

Maximum Temperatures

• Punjab: 11.4°C (Thein Dam) to 20.2°C (Ludhiana), up to 5.4°C below normal

• Haryana: 12.8°C (Ambala) to 19°C (Bhiwani), up to 5.8°C below normal

Cold Wave and Fog Conditions Persist

The IMD reported light to moderate rain at most places, along with cold day conditions in isolated areas. Cold wave to severe cold wave conditions were observed at several locations across both states.

Weather Forecast for Coming Days

The weather department has predicted:

• Light to moderate rainfall at many places on January 27

• Isolated rainfall on January 24, 26, and 28

• Dense fog, thunderstorms, and gusty winds at some locations

Minimum temperatures are expected to remain stable over the next two days, followed by a rise of 4–6°C, and then a drop of 3–5°C thereafter.

Outlook Remains Cautious

With fluctuating temperatures, fog, and continued rain spells, weather conditions in Punjab and Haryana are likely to remain challenging in the coming days, affecting daily life, transport, and agriculture.

This evolving weather pattern highlights the need for residents to stay alert to IMD advisories and changing forecasts.