Monsoon arrives in Punjab, Haryana; heavy rains in both states

The south-west monsoon today arrived in most parts of Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh with both states and the union territory witnessing widespread rains in several parts.
"The south-west monsoon has advanced in most part of Punjab and Haryana, including Chandigarh, today," MeT department said.
"Monsoon is likely to remain very active in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh during next 36 hours with moderate to heavy rainfall at most places in all districts of Punjab and Haryana.
"Heavy to very heavy rainfall with intensity more than 12 cm is also likely in some parts of Punjab and Haryana during next 36 hours," it said in a release here.

Widespread rains lashed major parts of Punjab and Haryana, bringing relief to people from sultry weather conditions.
Because of rains, the maximum temperatures dropped sharply in both the states, the weather department said.

Till 5:30 PM, Punjab's Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala witnessed rainfall of 2 mm, 23 mm and 12 mm, respectively. Till 8:30 AM, Ludhiana, Patiala and Amritsar received rainfall of 73.2 mm, 51.8 and 17 mm, respectively.
The maximum temperatures in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala were 30.4, 27 and 26.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, up to 10 notches below normal.
In Haryana, Hisar was the wettest at 64 mm with the maximum temperature dropping by 13 degrees below normal and settling at 25.8 degrees Celsius.

Ambala, Karnal and Narnaul recorded rainfall of 7 mm, 46.4 mm and 19 mm, respectively. The maximum of Ambala was 26.1 degrees Celsius.
Chandigarh saw rainfall of 3.5 mm till 5:30 PM, while its maximum was 26.8 degrees Celsius, nine notches below normal.
Experts said rain at this stage is beneficial for sowing of paddy -- a kharif crop -- which has been going on in both the agrarian states.
Because of rains, several low lying areas in both the states were inundated with water.