Hailstorm and showers pummel Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh, disrupting daily life

In an unexpected turn of weather events, most parts of Punjab and Haryana experienced rain, with hailstorms catching residents off guard. The state capital, Chandigarh, along with its neighboring districts Panchkula and Mohali, witnessed showers accompanied by hail on Thursday morning.

February hailstorm after dry January

Following a dry January, the first day of February brought unanticipated hail in parts of the tricity. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), hail, with diameters up to 1cm, was recorded between 11:10 am and 11:30 am. The hail accompanied rainfall, with 1mm recorded till 8:30 am and an additional 12mm until 11:30 am. This unusual weather phenomenon was attributed to the cold temperatures and the impact of an active western disturbance affecting the region.

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Cities including Moga, Ludhiana, Amritsar, Patiala, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, and Faridkot in Punjab, and Ambala, Hisar, Karnal, Rohtak, and Bhiwani in Haryana received rainfall. Despite the precipitation, minimum temperatures stayed above normal, a pattern observed across both states.

Temperature highlights

Amritsar recorded a minimum temperature of 9.3 degrees Celsius, four notches above the season's average. Ludhiana and Patiala registered 12.4 degrees Celsius each. In Haryana, Ambala and Hisar recorded minimums at 11.8 and 11.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, up to four degrees above normal. Chandigarh experienced a minimum temperature of 12.5 degrees Celsius, three notches above normal.

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An orange alert for thunderstorms with gusty winds of up to 50kmph has been issued in Chandigarh, urging residents to be prepared for possible weather impacts.