A respite from the heat occurred in Punjab with the advent of storms in various areas without any prior warning. The sky turned gray with a sharper wind in various areas of Punjab, bringing the temperatures a little lower. Changes occurred most dramatically in Amritsar, where pellets of ice occurred with rain shortly after dawn.
Rains occurred in Amritsar in the early hours of the morning, occurring after five in the morning and continuing until nine in the morning. Accompanying the rain were hailstones, a dramatic change in the weather that caused temperatures to drop even further. Elsewhere in Punjab, the sky turned gray with a sharper wind, bringing temperatures a little lower in the province. Changes occurred dramatically in temperatures across Punjab, dropping temperatures by approximately 1.2 degrees in a single day. At the Bhakra Dam, temperatures reached a high of 34.5°C, bringing a respite from the heat a little sooner. With storms and rains expected from March 14 through the 16th, temperatures are expected to drop by as much as four degrees.
Weather for the Next Few Days
Most parts of Punjab are likely to experience some patches of cloudiness during the coming days. Scattered places could receive some showers along with rumblings of thunder from March 14 to 16. In some places, it could also become windy, reaching speeds of 30 to 40 kilometers per hour. After March 17, it is likely to become dry.
The morning of the 14th promises some scattered rain along with a rumble of thunder at Pathankot. At Hoshiarpur, some rain is likely to fall by mid-day. Rupnagar is also likely to see some rain as wet skies hover over it by afternoon.
On the 15th of March, it could become cloudy over Gurdaspur. From there, it is likely to move westward to Amritsar and then to Kapurthala, where it could become heavy. Jalandhar could see some rain by afternoon, while Nawanshahr could remain under a gray blanket. Water is suspended in the air at Fatehgarh Sahib, waiting to fall at any time. Nearby, Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar could see some rain just before dusk. Patiala is last on the list, preparing to receive some moisture on its streets.
Advisory for farmers
The weather is shifting again and again, and in these circumstances, farmers are advised to water the wheat crops presently, especially where grains are developing. When it comes to mustard, leafy vegetables like cabbage, and potatoes, the soil moisture is also very important. Moisture levels must be carefully monitored if these crops are to continue to grow at a normal pace in the face of these unpredictable weather conditions. What exactly occurs next is dependent on how well the soil is able to retain moisture in these unpredictable times.
Weather shifts in Himachal Pradesh
Weather shifts have also been witnessed in the region, and in the high reaches of Lahaul-Spiti, new snow has been reported. This has also been witnessed in areas like Atal Tunnel Rohtang, Rohtang Pass, and Shinkula Pass. Thunderstorm warnings are also presently glowing yellow in Shimla, Kullu, Kangra, Mandi, and Chamba, thanks to the IMD’s alerts. For the next five to six days, conditions may arise, and rain and snow may continue in the high reaches in the region thanks to a Western Disturbance.