Gurgaon: After a largely subdued spell over the weekend, a fresh surge in monsoon activity across Haryana is likely to begin Monday.India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and heavy rainfall over large parts of the state for the next four days.According to the district-wise forecast issued by Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, rainfall activity will be concentrated in eastern and northeastern Haryana between July 20 and July 22, while northern districts bordering Himachal Pradesh and Punjab could witness heavy to very heavy rainfall.On Sunday, July 19, only isolated rainfall is expected over eastern districts, including the city, Faridabad, Palwal, Nuh, Rewari, Sonipat, Panipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Panchkula and Yamunanagar. Most western districts — including Hisar, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Fatehabad and Sirsa — are likely to remain dry.The weather is expected to become significantly more active from Monday, July 20, when IMD has issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and heavy rain across a large swathe of eastern Haryana.Panchkula, Ambala, Yamunanagar and adjoining northern districts have been placed under an orange alert, indicating the possibility of heavy to very heavy rainfall.The forecast suggests the wet spell will continue on Tuesday, July 21, with heavy rain likely over districts stretching from Panchkula and Yamunanagar in the north to Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal and Nuh in the south. Northern districts will continue to remain under an orange alert for heavy to very heavy rainfall.By Wednesday, July 22, rainfall intensity is expected to reduce over southern districts, though heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms is still likely over parts of northern and northeastern Haryana.Weather conditions are expected to improve substantially by Thursday, July 23, with only isolated rainfall forecast across most districts and no weather warning issued for the state except parts of the extreme north.The rainfall distribution forecast also indicates that monsoon activity will peak on July 21. While only isolated rainfall is expected in the city, Faridabad, Palwal and Nuh on Sunday, rainfall is likely at many places on Monday before easing again from Wednesday. In northern districts such as Ambala, Panchkula, Kurukshetra, Karnal and Yamunanagar, rainfall is expected at most places on Tuesday, pointing to the highest likelihood of widespread precipitation during the week.Despite increasing rain activity, night temperatures remained above normal across Haryana on Sunday. Meanwhile, the maximum temperature of the city was 35.9 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature was 27.5 degrees Celsius. The IMD said there was no significant change in the state’s average minimum temperature, which remained 2.1 degrees Celsius above normal.The lowest minimum temperature in Haryana was recorded at 27.2 degrees Celsius at Hathnikund in Yamunanagar district. In Gurgaon, the IMD observatory recorded a minimum temperature of 27.5 degrees Celsius, while the airport station recorded 28.9 degrees Celsius. Rohtak reported 30.8 degrees Celsius, Karnal 29.3 degrees Celsius and Hisar 30.2 degrees Celsius, indicating warm and humid conditions across much of the state.Only light rainfall was recorded at a few locations during the previous 24 hours ending 8.30am Sunday. Hathnikund received 9.5mm of rain, Chandigarh airport 25mm, Chandigarh city 6.4mm, Sonipat 1.5mm and Nuh 1mm, while most other districts remained dry.IMD has advised residents in districts under yellow and orange alerts to remain cautious during thunderstorms, avoid taking shelter under isolated trees and stay away from waterlogged areas and vulnerable structures during periods of intense rainfall and lightning.
