Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh/Shimla
Heavy rainfall lashed several districts of Punjab on Monday morning, including Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Gurdaspur, while Pathankot witnessed light showers. Chandigarh also received intense rainfall during the afternoon, bringing relief from the heat but causing temporary disruptions in parts of the city.
In Gurdaspur, heavy rain led to severe waterlogging in markets and low-lying areas, with floodwater entering several residential houses. The downpour affected normal life as roads remained submerged and local commuters faced difficulties.
Meanwhile, in Himachal Pradesh, continuous rainfall triggered flash flooding in the Pagal Nala in Kullu district. The overflowing stream carried debris onto the highway, forcing authorities to shut the Larji–Sainj road to vehicular traffic.
Kangra also experienced steady rainfall from early morning, while in Shimla, a historic retaining wall near Christ Church on the Ridge, dating back to the British era, collapsed due to the heavy rain.
According to Surender Paul, Director of the Chandigarh Meteorological Centre, weather conditions remain favourable for the southwest monsoon to advance into the remaining parts of Punjab and Haryana over the next three days. He added that an active western disturbance is also influencing weather patterns across North India, increasing the likelihood of continued rainfall in several regions.
