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Weather alert: How to stay safe during heavy rain, thunderstorm, dust storm
IMD forecasts a spell of thunderstorm and squall on Tuesday, with winds likely to go up to 50-70 kilometres/hour in Delhi-NCR and other states.
The India Meteorological Department has issued a rain and thunderstorm alert for Tuesday in several parts of north India, including the Delhi-NCR region. Met forecasts a spell of thunderstorm and squall, with winds up to 50-70 kilometres/hour in some regions.
A dust storm and high-velocity winds had hit the national capital and surrounding areas late on Monday night, just days after 125 people were killed in freak storms across several northern states on May 2.
A list of protective measures to take before rain/dust storm/thunderstorm:
Preparing before a storm:
• Prepare an emergency kit with essential items for safety and survival
• Secure your house; carry out repairs; don’t leave sharp objects loose
• Secure outside objects that could blow away and cause damage
• Remove rotting trees/broken branches that could fall and cause injury or damage
• Listen to radio, watch TV or read newspapers for weather updates and warnings
During a storm:
• Keep a watch on local weather updates and warnings
• Try to stay indoors; stay off verandas
• Unplug all electrical equipment. Don’t use corded telephones
• Don’t touch plumbing and metal pipes. Do not use running water
• Stay away from structures with tin roofs/metal sheeting
• Don’t take shelter near/under trees
• Stay put if you are inside a car/bus/covered vehicle
• Don’t use metallic objects; stay away from power/telephone lines
• Get out of water -- pools, lakes, small boats on water bodies and take safe shelter immediately
After a storm:
• Stay away from storm-damaged areas
• Listen to local radio/TV stations for updated information or instructions on weather and traffic updates
• Help children, women, elderly and differently-abled
• Stay away from fallen trees/power lines and report them to nearest tehsil/district HQ immediately.
(Source: National Disaster Management Authority)
