Thunderstorms accompanied by squall, hail and heavy rains are likely to occur in at least 13 states and two Union Territories across the country on Monday, the Home Ministry said. The meteorological department has warned of thunderstorm accompanied with squall at isolated places in Haryana between May 7 and 8, following which the state government decided that all government and private schools will remain closed on these two days.
Early morning rains lashed Chandigarh and surrounding areas on Monday while authorities in Haryana and Punjab remained on high alert following a storm advisory issued by the Met department. Haryana Education Minister Ram Bilas Sharma on Monday said the decision to keep schools closed on May 7 and 8 has been taken in view of the MeT depatment's warning.
The weatherman has forecast thunderstorm with squall at isolated places in the state on May 7 and thunderstorm with squall and hail at some places on May 8.
In view of the warning, the Haryana Revenue and Disaster Management Department, in an advisory, has suggested safety tips to be adopted in case of thunderstorms, dust storms and squall.
A spokesperson of the department said there is no need to panic and people should follow precautions, pay special attention to children and senior citizens.
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All departments have been directed to stay alert, he said.
A few private schools in Chandigarh also announced closure for two days.
The maximum temperatures at most places in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh remained between 31.5 to 38.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday with rainfall at some places and overcast sky at several in others.
On Sunday, Indian Meteorological Department issued an advisory saying that heavy rains are likely to lash isolated places over Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura on Monday. Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds are very likely at isolated places over Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh.
Dust storm and thunderstorm are also likely at isolated places in West Rajasthan, the official said.
At least 124 people were killed and more than 300 others were injured in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning last week.