India, July 2 -- The south-west monsoon finally arrived in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday, July 1, bringing moderate to heavy rains, thunderstorms and gusty winds to large parts of both states and delivering long-awaited relief to a population that has endured persistently above-normal temperatures through most of June.

Days Late, But Now Moving Fast

The monsoon normally enters eastern Himachal Pradesh on June 20 and moves into Punjab between June 25 and 30, covering the entire state by July 5. This year's arrival lagged that timetable by several days, a contrast with 2025, when the monsoon, which was significantly above normal, had advanced through some parts of Punjab on June 22 and covered the entire state on June 26, while it touch...