Storm warning sparks 'unwarranted' panic in Chandigarh

The storm warning in Chandigarh caused panic among parents on Monday as they rushed to schools to get their kids home even though the winds never blew across the Tricity during the entire day.

According to the weather forecast, the panic was unwarranted as it was a regular weather warning. However, the residents blamed the Haryana government for first issuing the advisory and ordering the closure of schools till Tuesday.

The UT administration on Sunday decided to close schools at 12 noon since the weather department had predicted a thunderstorm at 2 pm and the orders were soon followed by several other private schools and declared a holiday.

School managements received calls constantly from worried parents over the forecast of a major storm. Even several private coaching institutes canceled their classes. Meanwhile, students of government schools rejoiced to get an early day off and were even told to stay at home if the weather was bad on Tuesday.