Chandigarh braces for three more days of heavy rain, IMD issues alert

Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula have been battered by continuous rainfall for the past five days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warning that heavy to very heavy showers are likely to persist for the next three days.

Taking precautionary measures, District Magistrate Nishant Kumar Yadav has prohibited entry into Sukhna Choe, Patiala Ki Rao and other water bodies running close to danger levels. The Ghaggar river remains in spate, threatening people and property in low-lying areas. The order, issued under section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, bars both humans and animals from entering lakes, ponds, nullahs and choes until October 31. Violations will be punishable under section 223 of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023.

All schools in Chandigarh will stay closed on Wednesday, while Mohali had already suspended classes in schools, colleges, universities and technical institutes until Thursday.

Since Thursday night, heavy downpours have damaged roads and bridges across the tricity, forcing traffic closures. Water has also seeped into houses and shops, leading to property losses. The Punjab government has reported damage to crops spread over 2,000 hectares, one death and around 7,000 residents affected in Mohali due to blocked access roads.

Falling trees and poles have damaged vehicles and infrastructure, while power and water supplies remain disrupted in many pockets. The IMD has maintained orange and yellow alerts for the region through Friday.

“A spell of widespread rainfall activity with heavy to very heavy rainfall at few places is very likely over Chandigarh, Punjab and Haryana during the next 24-36 hours,” the weather office stated. According to the forecast, intense rain will continue until September 3, with isolated heavy showers expected in southern Haryana on September 4 and 5.

In the past 24 hours, Chandigarh and Panchkula each recorded 43 mm of rainfall, while Mohali logged 45 mm. Despite the wet conditions, the day temperature rose by 2.8°C, and the night temperature dipped by 1.4°C. Panchkula saw Haryana’s lowest minimum at 22.4°C. Relative humidity in Chandigarh held steady at 96%.