Unseasonal Showers Likely in Punjab, Delhi and Nearby States

Fresh rainfall is likely across several parts of North India due to an active western disturbance, according to the latest reports from the weather department. Cloud cover is expected to return within the next six to eight hours, with chances of moderate to heavy rainfall in states including Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh by the afternoon. However, conditions are likely to improve by evening. In recent days, North India has been witnessing unusual weather patterns not typically associated with this time of the year. March usually marks the beginning of rising temperatures, but the current conditions have forced people to wear warm clothing. Continuous rainfall and storm activity have created conditions resembling a “mini monsoon” across the region. Meteorologists note that western disturbances are weather systems originating from the Mediterranean region, generally bringing winter rain and occasional storms to the Indian subcontinent. However, such activity during March has drawn significant attention from both residents and the farming community. The changing weather has caused concern among farmers, as intermittent light showers and gusty winds have begun affecting standing crops. Agricultural experts from Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, along with the agriculture department, have already issued warnings about the continuation of such conditions in the state. In several areas, light but persistent rainfall has started to impact fields, with mature wheat crops beginning to bend due to wind pressure. District Chief Agriculture Officer Harvinder Singh stated that if strong winds or storms do not intensify during the rainfall, there may not be significant damage to wheat or other rabi crops. However, he acknowledged that moisture in the air could temporarily delay mustard harvesting. The weather department has also forecast strong winds in parts of Punjab, including the Malwa, Majha, and Doaba regions, with speeds likely to range between 30 to 40 km per hour along with lightning. Meanwhile, recent snowfall in the hills and intermittent rain over the past two days in Punjab and Chandigarh have led to a noticeable drop in temperatures. In neighbouring Haryana, a second spell of rainfall over the past five days has heightened concerns among farmers, as flattened crops may affect yield and productivity. The rainfall has also resulted in a decline in minimum temperatures, with an average drop of 1.2 degrees Celsius.