Chandigarh Receives Heaviest Rainfall in 70 Years
Chandigarh, a city in northern India, experienced its wettest day in over seven decades, with a record-breaking 302.2 mm of rainfall in just 24 hours. This surpassed the previous record for the highest amount of rainfall in a single day in July, which was set in 1953. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has been keeping records since then.
The heavy downpour began on Saturday morning around 6:00am and continued throughout the day. As a result, the IMD observatory in Sector 39 recorded a total rainfall of 345.3 mm. Officials have issued an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rains in the city on Sunday, indicating that more rainfall can be expected.
The previous record for the highest rainfall in 24 hours in Chandigarh was set on July 18, 2000, with 262 mm of rainfall. However, this has now been surpassed by the extraordinary rainfall witnessed on Saturday.
AK Singh, the director of IMD Chandigarh, explained that the combination of an active monsoon system and a strong western disturbance (WD) contributed to the heavy rain. He stated that the confluence of these two systems resulted in the intense spell of rainfall.
The western disturbance started affecting the region on Saturday and is expected to cause rain throughout Sunday as well. Singh noted that the influence of the western disturbance will gradually weaken from Sunday night, and although there is a possibility of rain continuing from Monday onwards, it is unlikely to be as intense.
In addition to the western disturbance, a cyclonic circulation has formed over the region and Pakistan, contributing to the heavy rainfall in Chandigarh, according to the IMD official.
The continuous rainfall has also caused a drop in temperatures, with the average temperature falling 3°C below normal. The night temperature decreased from 25.6 degrees on Saturday to 23.6 degrees on Sunday.
Apart from Chandigarh, other areas in the region also experienced significant rainfall. Nangal Dam in Punjab’s Ropar district received 282.5 mm of rainfall, making it the second-highest amount recorded. Ballowal Saundra and Tiber followed with 270 mm and 245 mm of rainfall, respectively. In Haryana, Radaur in Yamuna Nagar received 246 mm, while Kalka and Panchkula recorded 244 mm and 239 mm of rainfall, respectively.
Due to the anticipated heavy rainfall on Sunday, the IMD has issued an orange alert for both states, advising residents to stay indoors and be prepared.
Social media platforms were flooded with videos of waterlogged areas. In Mohali’s Gulmohar City extension, individuals were seen wading through waist-deep water. Tractors and boats were used to rescue stranded people as the water level rose to the roofs of cars.
The picturesque city of Chandigarh, known for its well-planned infrastructure, faced significant challenges due to the unprecedented and prolonged rainfall. It remains to be seen how the city will cope with the aftermath of this record-breaking deluge.
As the heavy rainfall continues to grab headlines, authorities are urging residents to remain cautious and stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and advisories. The effects of this extreme weather event are a stark reminder of the need for preparedness and proactive measures to mitigate the impact of such natural phenomena.
