3 die as violent storms sweep across Punjab
Babushahi Bureau
Mohali (Punjab), June 13, 2026: Strong winds and heavy rainfall that have swept across Punjab and Chandigarh over the past two days have brought much-needed relief from the intense summer heat, but have also caused widespread destruction and claimed three lives across the state.
According to reports, one person died in Amritsar after a wall collapsed during the storm. In Fazilka’s Jhangar Bhaini village, a cement shed was blown away by strong winds and fell on a woman, identified as Sunita Rani, killing her on the spot. Another storm-related fatality was reported from Sangrur district.
The severe weather also disrupted normal life in several areas. In Ludhiana’s Tagore Nagar, a massive tree was uprooted and fell onto a road on Friday night, blocking traffic for several hours.
Preliminary reports from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) indicate that winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph caused extensive damage to the power distribution network.
More than 850 electricity poles were uprooted, while 129 transformers suffered major damage.
Additionally, around 8.57 kilometres of power lines and high-voltage cables were damaged, leading to power outages in dozens of villages and urban areas.
With temperatures dropping due to the rain, Punjab’s power demand fell to 12,074 MW. Of this, 4,384 MW was generated within the state, while 7,686 MW was sourced from the central grid. Officials said Punjab is currently drawing 625 MW less power than its allocated quota.
Authorities are continuing restoration work and assessing the full extent of the damage caused by the storm.