Heavy thundershowers accompanied with lightening and squally winds wreaked havoc over the ongoing Simhastha Kumbh Mela in Ujjain city of Madhya Pradesh. The inclement weather conditions claimed at least 7 lives so far and over 40 people were reported to be injured.
This religious fair takes place once in 12 years and attracts thousands of devotees across the country.
Gusty winds of 70 kmph to 80 kmph had uprooted numerous pandals (makeshift tents) at the fair sight on Thursday evening. This triggered fear among the pilgrims that led to stampede.
According to Skymet Weather, these pre-Monsoon rain and thundershowers occurred on account of a trough extending from cyclonic circulation over Punjab and Haryana up to South Rajasthan and Northwest Madhya Pradesh including Ujjain.
Due to this, humid southwesterly winds from Arabian Sea have been reaching up to Ujjain and other parts of the state. These winds coupled with high day temperatures led to development of thunderclouds over the city, resulting in rain.
However the affecting weather system has now shifted in northeast direction. Accordingly, sky will remain partly cloudy and rains are not likely now onwards.
However possibility of isolated light thundershower cannot be ruled out but it will not be as intense as it was earlier.
The month-long Kumbh Mela had kicked off on April 22 and will end on May 21.
Image credit: The Tribune
