Heavy monsoon downpours lashed Chandigarh and the surrounding Tricity region (Mohali and Panchkula) on August 18, 2026, marking the season’s heaviest rainfall spell so far.
Torrential Rain & Rainfall Data
The Tricity witnessed intense rainfall throughout the morning and early afternoon.
- Record Precipitation: Official IMD recordings logged 72.7 mm of rainfall in Chandigarh between 8:30 AM and 6:30 PM.
- Temperature & Humidity: Temperatures ranged between a minimum of 23.6°C and a maximum of 34.4°C, with morning humidity touching 93–95%.
Impact on Infrastructure & Daily Life
- Severe Waterlogging: Major roads, key intersections, and roundabouts were submerged under 2 to 3 feet of water. Commuters faced immense hardship as dozens of two-wheelers and passenger cars stalled on flooded roads.
- Traffic Disruption: Heavy traffic jams were reported across key arterial stretches connecting Chandigarh with Mohali and Panchkula during morning commute hours.
- Sukhna Lake Gates Opened: With water levels rising rapidly due to heavy inflow from the Shivalik catchments, administration officials opened the floodgates of Sukhna Lake to release excess water safely. Alerts were subsequently issued to downstream authorities in Panchkula and Mohali.
Adjoining Regional Impact (Panchkula & Mohali)
- Panchkula: Underpasses (including Sector 19) and low-lying areas like Industrial Area Phase-2 were inundated. Further up in Morni, landslides blocked key road networks, temporarily stranding school buses and commuters. Near Kalka, torrential surges in the Sukhna rivulet led to the collapse of a local bridge and structural damage to nearby homes.
- Mohali: Low-lying residential sectors experienced severe waterlogging, raising urban drainage concerns.
IMD Weather Outlook
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), an active upper-air cyclonic circulation over northern Haryana continues to drive this weather system. Fairly widespread rainfall with isolated heavy downpours is predicted across Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab over the next few days, particularly on August 19 and August 22.
