Punjab is preparing for a noticeable shift in weather as a western disturbance settles over the north‑west. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a four‑day yellow warning covering 6 October to 9 October, highlighting the likelihood of thunderstorms, lightning, scattered showers and gusty winds across a broad swathe of the state.
Districts under the warning
The core of the alert will affect twelve districts during the first two days. These districts are Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Firozpur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Rupnagar and Mohali.
Wind and rain outlook
On 6 October and 7 October, wind speeds are forecast to climb to 40–50 km/h, accompanied by frequent thunderstorms and intermittent rain showers. By 8 October and 9 October the winds are expected to ease slightly to around 30–40 km/h, while rain will continue to pepper the region.
Temperatures set to drop
The incoming system will provide much‑needed relief from the recent heat spell. Temperatures are projected to fall by roughly 2–3 °C both during the day and at night once the rain and breezes arrive.
Recent temperature records
Just before the alert, Punjab endured a dry spell with maximum temperatures staying well above normal. Bathinda recorded the highest reading at 37.1 °C, followed by Amritsar (35.2 °C), Ludhiana (35 °C) and Patiala (35.6 °C). Night‑time lows were also higher than usual; the state’s average minimum was about 3.5 °C above the norm, with Bathinda posting the coolest night at 21.2 °C.
Safety recommendations
The IMD advises residents to stay vigilant throughout the stormy period. Precautions include securing loose objects, refraining from outdoor activities when lightning is observed, and keeping up‑to‑date with local weather advisories. The yellow warning will stay in effect until the end of 9 October, after which no further alerts have been issued for the 10‑12 October window.
