The first week of October brought unexpected and surplus rainfall to Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, marking a dramatic shift in weather patterns affecting temperature levels and ongoing agricultural activities — particularly the harvesting of paddy crops. According to data from the Met Centre (Chandigarh), the three regions recorded exceptionally high rainfall compared to normal levels. Punjab witnessed an overall deviation of 727% above normal, while Haryana recorded 546% above normal and Chandigarh experienced 212% excess rainfall during the period. The unseasonal showers have disrupted the crucial paddy harvesting season in Punjab and Haryana. Fields remain waterlogged in several districts, forcing farmers to postpone harvesting. A farmer, Talwinder Singh, from Jalandhar district said, “We were ready to start harvesting this week, but the rainfall has set us back by at least a week.” He also said that the quality of crops may suffer if the weather continues to worsen. Agricultural experts and farmer unions have raised concerns over potential grain discoloration and crop damage if wet conditions persist, and have urged the government for support. They are seeking a delay in moisture content checks by procurement agencies and also compensation for losses, if any, due to weather-induced delays. Some of the most affected districts in Punjab included Tarn Taran at 32.6 mm (deviation: 4558%), Pathankot at 95.1 mm (deviation: 3296%), Jalandhar 2671% surplus, Moga 2100% surplus, Gurdaspur 1529%, Amritsar 1281%, Faridkot 1263%, Ferozepur 1181% and Mohali at 27.6 mm (deviation: 885%). In Haryana, Jhajjar recorded 3388% surplus, Mahendergarh 1328%, Yamunanagar 1300% Rohtak 920%, Panchkula 815%, Palwal 778% and Fatehabad saw 706% surplus, among other places. The day and night temperatures also dropped noticeably due to the sudden spike in rainfall. For instance, Amritsar recorded a temperature of 22.7°C, while Mohali and Ludhiana hovered around 26.4°C and 25.6°C, respectively. Pathankot, which received the highest rainfall at 56.8 mm in just 48 hours, recorded 25.6°C. The meteorological centre (Shimla) director, Surinder Pal, confirmed the widespread rainfall was caused by active western disturbances coupled with moisture-laden winds from the Arabian Sea. Pal said, “Rainfall will continue in parts of Chandigarh and Punjab today (Tuesday), especially in central and north-east Punjab districts bordering Himachal Pradesh. However, from tomorrow onwards, the weather is expected to improve.” He also said temperatures are set to drop further both maximum as well as minimum. In addition, there will also be a gradual drying trend due to a shift in wind patterns towards the north-west, he said. “The next five to seven days are expected to remain largely dry and another western disturbance may bring changes in weather later.”
