Chandigarh, the ‘City Beautiful’, recently experienced an unexpected and dramatic shift in its October weather, with unseasonal rains and a sharp drop in temperatures bringing an early taste of winter. This phenomenon, influenced by an active western disturbance, has left residents reaching for their warm clothing much sooner than anticipated.
A Sudden Plunge in Temperatures
The city witnessed a significant temperature dip, plummeting from a warm 36 degrees Celsius on a Sunday to a cool 22 degrees Celsius by Tuesday. This marked a remarkable 14-degree fall, making it one of the coldest October spells in recent years, particularly unusual for the middle of the month.
On Monday, Chandigarh recorded a maximum temperature of 24.8°C, which was 7.8°C below normal, and the maximum temperature further dropped to 22°C on Tuesday, setting a new record for the lowest October high since 2021. The minimum temperature also settled around 18.3°C, about three degrees below normal. Experts suggest that erratic monsoons and climate shifts are making such early chills more common.
Heavy Rainfall and IMD Alerts
Accompanying the temperature drop were spells of moderate to intense rainfall, thunderstorms, and gusty winds across Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula. Chandigarh alone received 33.3 mm of rainfall by 5:30 PM on Monday, with a total of 21.3mm between 8:30 AM and 5:30 PM on Tuesday. This heavy precipitation led to waterlogging in several low-lying areas, causing traffic disruptions.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributed this sudden change to a strong western disturbance interacting with moist easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal. The IMD issued an ‘Orange Alert’ for 13 districts in Punjab, including Mohali, warning of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds, raising concerns about flash floods as rivers like Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej experienced significant rises in water levels. Dam authorities began releasing water in a controlled manner from Pong Dam, Bhakra Dam, and Ranjit Sagar (Thein) Dam to manage pressure on reservoirs, potentially affecting downstream areas.
Impact and Outlook
The unseasonal cold has posed challenges for farmers, particularly those who haven’t harvested standing paddy, and is delaying the sowing of Rabi crops like wheat in Punjab and Haryana. Doctors have advised residents to take precautions against coughs and colds.
While cloudy skies are expected to clear up towards the end of the week, day temperatures are projected to recover to around 30-31 degrees Celsius by Friday, with nights remaining pleasant at 19-20 degrees Celsius. However, the IMD has suggested that the chilly weather might persist until Diwali. Residents are advised to stay updated with local weather advisories as the post-monsoon transition continues.