Thunderstorm accompanied by hail/squall is likely to whip through several places across Uttarakhand over the next 48 hours starting from late Monday night, warned the Meteorological centre officers, adding that the speed of the storm might vary from 70 to 80 kms per hour. Dehradun is likely to be lashed by the same over the same period as an impact of which the mercury might substantially dip. Considering this, the district magistrate has declared a one day holiday in all government and private schools in the district on Tuesday. The sky across the state is likely to remain overcast. In a warning issued on Monday, the Met department asked the people to avoid waiting near the rivulets or streams in the mountainous areas. Besides, those dwelling in the mud/thatched houses have been advised to shift to safer places during the squall/hail as the huts might collapse or the roofs might be blown away.
In Dehradun too, the sky would remain cloudy for the next 48 hours and thunderstorm accompanied by hail/squall and rain might rip through several areas of the district.
In view of the thunderstorm warning, the Dehradun district administration has claimed to have taken elaborate measures to avoid loss due to the possible storm activities. The district administrations in Chamoli, Rudraprayag and Uttarkashi have also taken adequate measures as these districts house the revered four shrines where the pilgrimage is now on.
A Met officer based in Dehradun said that the velocity of the storm might range between 70 to 80 kms per hour which might result in some losses unless the administration and the people make protective arrangements.
A Dehradun district administration officer said that they have put into place adequate measures to deal with the thunderstorm and its aftermath if it befalls the district. “We are all alert in view of the Met department warning,” he added.
Notably, the dust storm which had barrelled through some parts of Uttarakhand aside from the neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and some other states on May 3 had left a trail of destruction and death.