Storms lash Punjab, Haryana, HP; trucks toppled, hail batters towns

Bathinda/Shimla/Ambala: High-velocity winds, thunderstorms, heavy rain and hailstorms swept across Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh on Thursday, bringing relief from the heatwave, but leaving uprooted trees and damaged infrastructure.The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued red alerts for parts of Punjab, including Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Mansa and Sangrur, while orange alerts were sounded for the remaining districts of Punjab and several districts of Haryana. Thunderstorms accompanied by winds of up to 90 kmph, lightning and hailstorm activity were reported from multiple locations.In Haryana's Ambala district, powerful winds reportedly overturned three parked trucks on National Highway-152D near Naggal. The vehicles, parked after drivers halted their journey due to worsening weather, were blown over by the force of the storm. No injuries were reported. Trees and an electricity pole were also uprooted at several locations, disrupting traffic and power supply."The winds were extremely strong. Within minutes, all three trucks were overturned," one of the drivers said.Wind speeds reached 72 kmph in Kaithal, 54 kmph in Karnal, 50 kmph in Panchkula and 46 kmph in Jind. In Punjab, gusts touched 68 kmph in Mohali, 63 kmph in Patiala and 56 kmph in Sangrur.Several towns and villages in both states witnessed intense rain and hail. Residents reported dark clouds engulfing entire localities before the storms struck.The weather system also brought relief to Himachal Pradesh, where rain and thundershowers lashed parts of Kangra, Chamba, Kullu and Mandi districts. Hailstorms were reported from parts of Kullu. The state's average maximum temperature dropped by 1.1°C, with Keylong recording the sharpest decline of 3.7°C.Despite the respite, the plains and lower hills of Himachal continued to swelter, with Una remaining the hottest place in the state at 44°C.According to the IMD, fairly widespread rainfall is likely across Punjab and Haryana till June 12, followed by scattered rain till June 17. Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds of 40-60 kmph are likely over the next several days, with thundersqualls reaching 80 kmph possible at isolated places.The Meteorological Centre in Shimla has forecast wet weather across Himachal Pradesh till June 17, with temperatures expected to fall further by 3°C to 8°C over the next few days.