Dust lashes Delhi, hail pounds Shimla, five-day alert issued
Severe hailstorm lashed Shimla today, with rains being reported from various parts in North India, including Chandigarh. Dust storms affected life in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. After yesterday's storm in Delhi, likelihood of severe weather has reduced. But hailstorm alert has been issued for Uttarakhand. Heavy rain is also likely in TN, Kerala, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Mizoram in the next five days.
Visuals from Uttarakhand
Over 120 people killed last week in intense storms
Last week, at least 124 people were killed in intense dust storms and thunderstorms in North India, including Delhi, Rajasthan, UP and Haryana, as well as Jharkhand and Telangana. The May 2 storms were the most lethal in six years, IMD said. Previously, the worst thunderstorm since 2013 took place in Bihar in April 2015, when 65 people died.
Visuals from Shimla
Delhi issues list of dos and don'ts
Last night, a severe dust storm hit Delhi and adjoining areas with wind speeds of upto 70kmph, resulting in power cuts, low visibility and damage to property. In the capital, gusty winds uprooted trees in Mayur Vihar, Dwarka and Janakpuri. Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Meerut, Rohtak, Jhajjar and Bagpat also witnessed similar scenes. The Delhi government issued a list of dos and don'ts for citizens.
IMD weather alert for the next five days
Over 1,800 houses damaged in Tripura
In the northeast, Tripura was heavily affected. At least one person, an old woman, was killed when a wall collapsed on her. Over 1,800 houses have been damaged, reports said. Sixteen relief camps have been set up in various districts, which housed about 2,500 people taking shelter.
