As predicted by Skymet Weather, fresh spell of winters rains and thundershowers have once again began over parts of North Punjab. Rain bearing clouds have been hovering the region since the morning hours, with rains finally making an appearance.
At present, Amritsar and nearby areas have started observing rain and thundershowers. Other places like Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Pathankot likely to follow soon. According to Skymet Weather, an active Western Disturbance over Jammu and Kashmir has induced a cyclonic circulation over West Rajasthan and adjoining Pakistan. With systems here to stay for the next 24 hours, we expect rains and thundershowers to continue till January 31. In wake of this system, wind pattern has also gone under a change and cold and dry northwesterly winds are now replaced with moist and warm southeasterly winds. As a result, minimums have increased, and cold wave has abated from entire northwestern plains including Punjab. However, thick clouding might lead to drop in day maximums for the next two days. Chances of hailstorm with strong winds are also bright over some parts. Thus, standing crop might face some threat.
As per weathermen, these rains are considered to be unseasonal for the region. Rabi crops in Punjab that include Wheat and Mustard are at standing stage presently, and any spell of squally winds and hailstorm can prove fatal for the crop as it might result in crop lodging that would either damage or deteriorate the grain quality.
Image Credit: The Tribune
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