Punjab, Haryana record heavier-than-expected January rains
Punjab, Haryana record heavier-than-expected January rains
January rainfall exceeded expectations across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, bringing dense fog and unusually cold mornings.
Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana logged more rain in January than normal, according to the weather office. The spell of wet weather arrived with cold mornings and dense fog that reduced visibility in several places.
Punjab recorded 34.4 mm of rainfall in January, about 69% above the normal 20.3 mm. Amritsar, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa and Moga saw higher-than-normal rains, while Bathinda and Faridkot fell short of expectations. Haryana registered 19.6 mm, roughly 35% above its January normal. Ambala, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jhajjar, Karnal, Panchkula, Panipat and Yamunanagar had excess rainfall; Charkhi Dadri, Sirsa and Sonipat were below normal. Chandigarh itself recorded 63.6 mm, 69% above its January norm.
Temperature readings reflected the chill, with Faridkot at 3.8°C, Bathinda around 4°C, Amritsar at 6.2°C, Ludhiana 5.4°C and Patiala 5.6°C. In Haryana, Karnal dropped to 4.5°C while Hisar logged 4.9°C; Narnaul recorded 6°C and Rohtak 7.8°C. A thick blanket of fog was reported in many parts of Punjab, including Amritsar and Ludhiana, as well as in Ambala, Karnal and Hisar. Chandigarh observed a minimum of about 7.7°C, adding to the chill of the month.
The widespread rainfall and persistent fog marked January as a notably wet and cold month for the region, affecting travel, outdoor activities and daily routines while leaving a few districts under normal rainfall. Observers and residents will be watching for any lingering effects as the season moves forward, with weather stations continuing to monitor precipitation and temperature trends.
