Rain and thunderstorm alert for 16 districts of Punjab; Bhakra Dam water level rises

June 17, 2026

Weather conditions have shifted across Punjab and Chandigarh. The Meteorological Department has issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ for today (June 17), predicting thunderstorms, lightning, and rain across 16 districts. Strong winds reaching speeds of 50 km/h are also likely during this period.

Meanwhile, the maximum temperature has dropped by 0.9°C compared to the previous day, keeping temperatures below normal levels. The highest temperature in the state was recorded at Anandpur Sahib, reaching 37.2°C.

According to the Meteorological Department, rain and strong winds are expected in the districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ferozepur, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar, Moga, Bathinda, Ludhiana, Barnala, Mansa, and Sangrur. Light to moderate rainfall is also forecast for some areas within these districts.

The department has advised the public to exercise caution during adverse weather conditions. It has urged people to avoid standing in open spaces or near trees and electricity poles during thunderstorms and strong winds. Chandigarh is likely to remain partly cloudy throughout the day.

Below-normal rainfall in June so far

Punjab recorded an average rainfall of 4.0 mm on Tuesday. The highest rainfall was recorded in Pathankot at 8.5 mm. Rain also occurred in Bathinda, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, and SBS Nagar, though the quantity was too minimal to be measured (trace rainfall).

Data from the Meteorological Department indicates that Punjab has received an average of 20.1 mm of rainfall between June 1 and June 16, which is 2 percent below the normal average of 20.6 mm. During this period, Nawanshahr received the highest rainfall at 71.5 mm, which is 93 percent above normal.

Tarn Taran recorded rainfall that was 112 percent above normal. Meanwhile, Ludhiana, Ferozepur, and Fazilka received 89 percent more rainfall than normal. On the other hand, the lowest rainfall was recorded in Barnala, which was 78 percent below normal. A rainfall deficit of 61 percent was also recorded in Hoshiarpur.