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Chandigarh’s January rainfall third highest in 14 years, 69% excess precipitation

With normal being 37.6 mm, the higher actual showers — 63.6 mm — placed the month in the ‘excess rainfall’ category.

Chandigarh’s January rainfall third highest in 14 years, 69% excess precipitationThe data highlights the sharp contrast between January 2026 and recent winters, particularly 2024 and 2025. (Express Photo)

Chandigarh recorded 63.6 mm of rainfall in January this year, logging 69 per cent excess precipitation and making it the third wettest January since 2013, according to the monthly weather report released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Meteorological Centre, Chandigarh.

The city’s normal rainfall for the month is 37.6 mm, and the significantly higher actual rainfall placed January 2026 in the ‘excess rainfall’ category, the IMD said.

An analysis of IMD data for the last 14 years shows that only two January months since 2013 recorded higher rainfall than 2026 — January 2022 (207.7 mm) and January 2017 (137.0 mm). Several years during this period witnessed either deficient rainfall or near-dry conditions.

The data highlights the sharp contrast between January 2026 and recent winters, particularly 2024 and 2025, when rainfall was negligible to deficient, as per IMD data.

IMD officials said the data reflects high inter-annual variability in winter rainfall, with several years recording sharp deficits and a few years seeing intense precipitation events linked to active western disturbances.

The IMD Chandigarh report noted that the highest maximum temperature during January 2026 touched 26.3 degrees Celsius on January 23, which was well above the average maximum temperature of 17.5 degrees Celsius for the month. This made January 2026 one of the warmer winter months in terms of daytime temperatures over the past decade.

At the same time, nights remained cold. The lowest minimum temperature dropped to 2.8 degrees Celsius on January 13, while the average minimum temperature for the month stood at 6.7 degrees Celsius, close to recent winter averages but above historic extremes recorded in earlier decades.

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IMD attributed the excess rainfall largely to repeated western disturbances that affected north India during the month. As per officials the rainfall has helped improve soil moisture levels and groundwater recharge, offering relief after back-to-back dry winters.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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