Delhi govt puts teams on stand-by following IMD warning on thunderstorms; other states on high alert

The Delhi government has put search and rescue teams on standby in every district following the meteorological department's warning about heavy rains and thunderstorm.

The revenue department of the government has issued directions to all district officers and said water and power utilities would also keep restoration teams ready.

"The district and sub-district search and rescue teams have been put on standby," a senior official of the department said.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), 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 today and tomorrow.

At least 124 people were killed and more than 300 others injured in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning last week.

Last week, heavy storms lashed the Alwar, Dhaulpur and Bharatpur region in Rajasthan leaving at least 10 dead and over 25 injured.

A day later a squall and dust storm followed by heavy rain lashed the national capital this evening offering respite to the Delhiites from the sweltering heat but caused traffic snarls in parts of the city.

A squall with a wind speed of 59 km per hour hit the city at 16.45 and continued till 16.47, MeT Department said.