Chandigarh, Aug 30 (UNI) The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for heavy rainfall in Punjab, with Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Rupnagar expected to experience significant downpours today.
A yellow alert has been issued for Gurdaspur, Nawanshahr, Fatehgarh Sahib, and Patiala, signalling caution for potential rainfall.
On Friday, parts of Punjab witnessed rainfall, while cloudy skies prevailed in several districts, leading to a temperature drop of 2.1°C. The state’s average temperature remains 2.2°C below normal, providing slight relief amid ongoing weather challenges.
The IMD has extended the yellow alert until September 1 for flood-affected areas, with Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Rupnagar, and Mohali under alert for Sunday, and Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Nawanshahr for Monday. Neighbouring Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are also under a heavy rainfall alert today, raising concerns about rising river levels in Punjab, which could worsen the state’s flood situation.
Special DGP Arpit Shukla stated that 20 army helicopters have been deployed for rescue operations in flood-hit districts. SSPs have been tasked with monitoring affected areas, and residents are being evacuated to safer locations.
The release of water from Chandigarh’s Sukhna Lake in recent days has impacted Punjab and Haryana. The Ghaggar River’s overflow has inundated farmlands in several villages in Patiala, including Khajur Mandi, Tiwana, Sadhanpur, Sarsini, and surrounding areas.
Water from Khajur Mandi is flowing toward Haryana’s Tangri River. Villagers, haunted by memories of the 2023 floods, remain anxious, though water levels showed signs of receding by Friday evening.
