North India, including Punjab, was currently temperatures exceeding 42°C in several areas. The Meteorological Department had previously forecast storms and thunderstorms accompanied by rain in Punjab for four days starting June 11, issuing a ‘Yellow Alert’ accordingly. True to the forecast, the spell of storms and rain has continued since June 11. Wind speeds were so high that trees were uprooted and “kutcha” (mud/temporary) houses sustained damage in many places.
Three people lost their lives, and there was extensive damage to property. While the department had noted
that the El Niño effect in the equatorial Pacific Ocean would likely result in reduced rainfall this year, the impact of climate instability—exacerbated by environmental pollution—has led to high-speed storms and rain disrupting the power infrastructure across several districts even before the actual monsoon season began. In Nurpur
Bedi, 25 electricity poles collapsed, cutting off power to approximately 50 villages; a lineman named Gurmeet Singh died after falling from a pole while attempting to restore the electricity supply. In the village of Jhangar Bhaini (Fazilka), the roof of a kitchen was blown off by the wind and fell onto a woman’s neck, resulting in her death from severe injuries.
Three people were injured in Jandiala Guru. Power supply was disrupted for eight hours in Jalandhar. In Bathinda, crops were damaged after breaches occurred in irrigation distributaries “rajbahas”. The Meteorological
Department has stated that this is pre-monsoon rainfall, while the full onset of the monsoon is expected between June 20 and June 25. Residents have expressed dissatisfaction, noting that government authorities failed to demonstrate awareness or learn from past experiences; neither have the rivers and drains been desilted, nor has proper cleaning been carried out. The problem of water drainage during the rainy season can become severe; indeed, the very first storm caused waterlogging in various parts of the cities, disrupting the movement of people.