Storm and Rain Alert for 7 Districts of Punjab; Bathinda remains hottest

April 17, 2026

The effects of the summer heat have begun to manifest in Punjab and Chandigarh. Temperatures have reached the 40-degree mark. Meanwhile, a Western Disturbance has arrived in the hilly regions. Consequently, the Meteorological Department has issued a ‘Yellow Alert’ for Friday (April 17), warning of thunderstorms, squalls, and lightning. There is also a possibility of rainfall in certain districts.

Compared to the previous day, the temperature has risen by 1.3 degrees. This places it 3.5 degrees above the normal average. The highest temperature, 40.3 degrees, was recorded in Bathinda. In Chandigarh, the temperature stood at 38.1 degrees, which is 2.8°C higher than normal. Concurrently, the rising heat has led to an increase in electricity consumption; demand currently remains above the 7,854 mark.

Rain and Thunderstorms in Seven Districts

According to the Meteorological Department, on Friday, there is a possibility of thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and strong winds (ranging from 30 to 40 km/h) at isolated locations across seven districts: Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur, Fazilka, Muktsar, Bathinda, and Mansa. Light to moderate rainfall is also likely at some places within these same seven districts. Following this, the weather is expected to clear up on the 18th, while there is a renewed possibility of rain on the 19th.

No significant rainfall is anticipated across the state until April 23. Maximum temperatures in the northern and eastern parts of the state are expected to range between 32°C and 36°C, while in the remaining parts of the state, they may hover between 36°C and 40°C. Throughout this week, maximum temperatures across the state are likely to remain above normal levels.

Highest Temperature Rise Recorded in Ludhiana

Ludhiana recorded a temperature of 39.6 degrees, marking the most significant increase—a rise of 4.1 degrees—across the region. The state’s average maximum temperature remained approximately 3.5 degrees above normal, while the highest individual temperature—40.4 degrees—was recorded in Bathinda. Temperatures of 38.0°C (3.1°C above normal) were recorded in Amritsar, 39.5°C (3.3°C above normal) in Patiala, and 38.1°C (2.8°C above normal) in the city of Chandigarh.

Additionally, temperatures of 39.5°C were recorded in Faridkot; 37.7°C at Bhakra Dam (Rupnagar); 36.9°C in Ropar; 36.7°C in Pathankot; 36.6°C in Mohali and SBS Nagar (Balowal Saunkhri); between 35.9°C and 36.2°C in Hoshiarpur; 35.8°C at Thein Dam (Pathankot); and 35.5°C in Gurdaspur. Overall, temperatures remained significantly above normal across most regions of the state.