Orange Alert for Rain in Punjab and Chandigarh Today; thunderstorms accompanied by Lightning

June 3, 2026

The weather in Punjab and Chandigarh is set to change once again. Starting today (June 3), a Western Disturbance is expected to become active again. Consequently, an ‘Orange Alert’ has been issued for the next two days across several parts of the state, warning of strong winds, lightning, and rainfall accompanied by thunder.

During this period, wind speeds could reach up to 50 to 60 kilometers per hour. According to the Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh, temperatures have risen by 1.2 degrees compared to the previous day. However, they still remain 2.3 degrees below normal levels. Bathinda recorded the highest temperature, registering 40 degrees Celsius. Temperatures across all districts were recorded within the range of 35.3 to 40 degrees. As a result, a heatwave is not expected to prevail.

Possibility of Rain and Storms in 18 Districts
An alert for thunderstorms and strong winds has been issued for 18 districts of the state. In Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Barnala, and Mansa, strong winds blowing at speeds of 50 to 60 kilometers per hour are likely. Meanwhile, in Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Ludhiana, and Sangrur, winds are expected to blow at speeds ranging from 40 to 50 kilometers per hour.

Electricity Consumption Drops
Due to the moderation in heat, the demand for electricity reached 10,157 megawatts on June 2. During this period, the state’s internal power generation capacity stood at approximately 5,000 megawatts, while an additional 5,000 megawatts were procured from the central grid. However, with the commencement of the paddy cultivation season, electricity demand is likely to rise in the coming days.

The Reason Behind the Weather Change
According to the Meteorological Department, the Southwest Monsoon is advancing gradually. Favorable conditions are developing for its further advancement into Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Lakshadweep, and certain other parts of the Bay of Bengal around June 4. Meanwhile, an upper-air cyclonic circulation persists over and around Pakistan and northwestern Rajasthan. Furthermore, a new Western Disturbance is set to impact northwestern India starting June 3. Under the influence of this system, a change in weather patterns—including rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds—is likely across several parts of North India, including Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.