Sunday showers in Chandigarh bring relief, more to follow till Thursday, says Met

Last month, Chandigarh had witnessed its wettest August in six years.

Showers throughout the day ushered in a pleasant weather on Sunday.

Children in a playful mood during the rain in Chandigarh on Sunday. At 27.9°C, maximum temperature fell by four notches as compared to that on Saturday.(HT Photo)

Rain started in patches in the morning, with the Indian meteorological department (IMD)’s observatory in Sector 39 recording 1.1mm rain, Kharar witnessing 5mm rain, the airport observatory recording only traces and Panchkula none till 8:30am.

As the day progressed, 7.6mm rain was recorded in Sector 39 while 25mm was measured at the airport — falling within the light to moderate category (2.5mm to 35.5mm).

The cloudy skies and rain brought the mercury down. Maximum temperature was measured at 27.9°C, 4.1 degrees lower than the Saturday’s 32°C and six notches below normal. Minimum temperature also saw a fall, coming down to 25.1°C from Saturday’s 27°C, but two degrees above normal. Meanwhile, humidity oscillated between 78% and 96%.

According to the IMD, a system has developed over Haryana that has led to a sudden strengthening of the monsoon here.

“Although peak effects will be felt till Monday, it is expected that this system will bring rain in Chandigarh till Wednesday or even Thursday,” said the weatherman.

Surender Paul, director of the local IMD centre, had earlier said that monsoon is expected to continue on the normal lines this month. One or two spells of heavy rain (over 64.5mm) are also possible, he had said, while adding that monsoon withdrawal is expected to take place around September 15.

Last month, Chandigarh had witnessed its wettest August in six years, received 286.9mm rain, highest since 2012, when 321.1mm rain was recorded during the month.