Weather has shifted dramatically across two northern states at the same time. People in Haryana are set to get major relief from the blistering heat over the next few days, while in the hill state of Himachal Pradesh the rain has turned destructive. A cyclonic circulation over Punjab combined with an active western disturbance is likely to keep Haryana's weather disturbed until June 26. On Wednesday the conditions changed abruptly, with rain recorded in Hisar and Sirsa, offering people a break from the humidity and heat.
The India Meteorological Department had forecast dusty winds blowing at 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, along with thunder and light rain, in the districts of Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal and Jind. Amid this change, the minimum temperature in the state rose by an average of 0.5 degrees Celsius and is currently holding around normal.
How the mercury stands across Haryana
The lowest minimum temperature in the state was recorded in Gurugram at 21 degrees Celsius. Elsewhere, Ambala logged 27.7 degrees, Hisar 26.1 degrees, Karnal 26 degrees, Rohtak 26.2 degrees and Chandigarh 26.1 degrees Celsius.
Dr Madan Khichad, head of the Agricultural Meteorology Department at Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, said the state's weather will remain changeable until June 26. During this period wind direction will shift and there will be partial cloud cover. Under the influence of the western disturbance and the cyclonic circulation, strong dusty winds may blow at several places, while some areas have a strong chance of light rain with thunder. The weather office has urged people to stay cautious during bad weather and keep a close watch on updates.
Advice for areas that stay dry
For regions where it will not rain, the weather department has issued specific advice. Avoid stepping directly into the sun during the afternoon, when the temperature peaks.
- Drink plenty of water and wear loose cotton clothing.
- Cover your head with a cap, cloth or umbrella when going outdoors.
- Irrigate crops in the evening or in the early morning hours to reduce the impact of heat.
Monsoon nears Himachal as Kinnaur faces a flash flood
People in Himachal Pradesh are currently enjoying the cooler weather. Rain was seen at several places over the past 24 hours. Heavy rain in Kinnaur triggered a flash flood. In Shimla, two days of bright sunshine were followed by rain, pulling the temperature down to 22 degrees. The meteorological centre has issued a storm alert for the state, and rain is expected to continue until June 29. Forecasts suggest the monsoon could arrive in Himachal today, June 25.
According to the department, Chamba, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla face the likelihood of squalls, storms, lightning and strong winds on June 25, 26 and 29. On June 27, Chamba and Kangra are expected to see storms accompanied by lightning and strong winds. Between June 25 and 29, light snowfall is also possible in the higher reaches, while light to moderate rain is likely in the mid hills as well as the lower and plain areas.
A welcome downpour in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh
In the industrial belt of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, heavy rain on Wednesday afternoon completely changed the mood of the weather. For several days the temperature here had been touching around 40 degrees Celsius, making it difficult for people to step out of their homes. After the rain the temperature dropped, bringing major relief from the severe heat.
Arjun Singh, a farmer from Nalagarh, said that with this timely rain he can now begin sowing his crops. Vegetables sown earlier had been on the verge of withering due to the intense heat, but the rain has given them fresh life. In fact, about 60 percent of the hilly area in the Nalagarh region depends on rain-fed farming, which is why this rain is nothing short of a blessing for farmers here.
A midnight disaster strikes Kinnaur
On the other hand, devastation struck the 15/20 area of Kinnaur even before the monsoon's official arrival. After torrential rain last night, a severe flash flood suddenly hit the Kacharang stream, spreading panic across the entire area. According to locals, the flood came at around 3 am. It is suspected that a cloudburst over the upper hills caused the stream's water level to rise abruptly, leading to the situation. A road connecting the area and a footbridge were both swept away in the floodwaters.
The administration has launched restoration work on a war footing in the affected area so that the blocked roads can be reopened quickly and the drinking water supply can be restored as soon as possible.
