Zero rain, dense fog: How Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh witnessed one of the driest Decembers in recent decades

December 2025 has been one of the driest winter months in recent years across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh, with all three regions recording no rainfall throughout the month. According to monthly weather assessments issued by meteorological authorities, the complete absence of precipitation has resulted in a 100 per cent rainfall deficit, raising concerns for agriculture, groundwater, and health issues as the region enters the new year.

Punjab experienced an exceptionally dry December, with 0 mm rainfall recorded across all 23 districts between 1 and 31 December 2025. The normal rainfall for the state during December is 10.9 mm, making the deficit 100 per cent.

Even districts that usually receive higher winter rainfall, such as Pathankot (normal 31.8 mm), SBS Nagar (24.2 mm), Rupnagar (21.0 mm), Gurdaspur (16.5 mm) and Hoshiarpur (16.3 mm), remained dry throughout the month. Pathankot alone showed a marginal decrease in departure as it recorded  99 per cent, while all other districts recorded 100 per cent departure.

Historical analysis from 2000 to 2025 indicates that Punjab has frequently faced deficient December rainfall. However, December 2025 stands out as one of the driest years on record, along with 2005 and 2009, which also witnessed 100 per cent deficient rain, contrasting sharply with wetter years such as 2021 (+135 per cent) and 2024 (+126 per cent), underscoring the high variability of winter precipitation in the region.

Temperatures showed noticeable fluctuations. Day temperatures remained above normal at times, particularly in central and southern Punjab. The highest maximum temperatures recorded were 23.6 degrees Celsius in Amritsar (December 9), 24.8 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana (December 9, 10 and 16) and 28.3 degrees Celsius in Patiala (December 10).

Night temperatures dipped toward the end of the month, with minimums of 4.4 degrees Celsius in Amritsar, 4.2 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana, and 4.6 degrees Celsius in Patiala, reflecting the influence of cold northerly winds. However, no historical records were breached.

Dense fog further characterised the month, with Amritsar reporting very dense fog on 12 days, Patiala on nine days, and Ludhiana on five days, causing repeated disruptions to road, rail and air traffic.

Haryana mirrored Punjab’s conditions, recording zero rainfall across all 23 districts in December 2025. The state’s normal December rainfall is 6.1 mm, and the month ended with a –100 per cent departure, categorising it as extremely deficient.

Districts that typically receive higher winter rainfall—such as Ambala (19.9 mm), Panchkula (18.7 mm), Yamuna Nagar (18.3 mm), Karnal (11.1 mm) and Kurukshetra (8.1 mm)—also reported no precipitation.

Long-term data from 2000–2025 show multiple deficient Decembers, but 2025 ranks among the driest, comparable only to years such as 2005 and 2022, when rainfall departure also touched –100 per cent. In contrast, December 2024 recorded 26.1 mm rainfall (+328 per cent), highlighting stark year-to-year contrasts.

Temperatures in Haryana remained relatively warm during the day, with maximums of 24.8 degrees Celsius in Ambala, 26.4 degrees Celsius in Hisar and 26.0 degrees Celsius in Karnal. Night temperatures fell sharply toward the month-end, particularly in Hisar, where the minimum dropped to 2.1 degrees Celsius on December 29, close to lower extremes observed in recent years. Ambala, Hisar and Karnal experienced fog for 10 days, seven days and one day, respectively.

Chandigarh, a Union territory and the joint capital of both Punjab and Haryana, also recorded a completely dry December, receiving 0 mm rainfall against a normal of 15.6 mm, resulting in a 100 per cent deficit. The city recorded no December rainfall in 2021 as well, a stark contrast to wetter years such as 2014 (90 mm) and 2024 (40.5 mm).

Temperatures largely stayed within climatological limits. The highest maximum temperature was 26.2 degrees Celsius (December 16) at Chandigarh (UT) and 25 degrees Celsius (December 9) at the airport, while the minimum temperatures were 5.4 degrees Celsius and 6.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.

Fog was reported intermittently, with very dense to dense fog on several days, briefly affecting traffic and flight operations.

Meteorologists warn that the absence of winter rain across Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh could adversely stress groundwater supplies for irrigating rabi crops, especially wheat and mustard, which rely on December–January precipitation. The farmers depend on groundwater, adding stress to already declining groundwater resources.

“While dry Decembers are not entirely uncommon, experts emphasise that a simultaneous 100 per cent rainfall deficit across the region is significant,” said Surinder Paul, Director, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Chandigarh, adding that a western disturbance is influencing the region’s weather.

Light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning, is likely at a few to isolated places in both states, particularly over districts such as Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Sirsa, Fatehabad, and Hisar, with isolated showers expected elsewhere. The weather is likely to turn dry again after this brief spell.

Punjab and Haryana are expected to experience dry winter conditions until January 6, with dense to very dense fog affecting large parts of both states and significantly reducing visibility, especially in the early morning and at night.

Very dense fog warnings have been issued for several districts across Punjab and Haryana, along with cold day and cold wave conditions at isolated places. Authorities have advised residents and commuters to remain cautious due to poor visibility.