Storm, rain hit Ambala, India

[senorpepr]

DUST storm and heavy rains hit the twin towns of Ambala today. While the city plunged into darkness, the storm uprooted trees and caused major obstructions on the roads. Telephone system was also affected as parts of Ambala City remained without telecom services. A number of power transformers were also badly damaged rendering several parts of the town powerless. Due to non supply electricity, water supply was also affected as the tubewells could not function.

The dust storm which was followed by heavy rain and hail storm was so strong that a 65 feet tower of AirTel cellphone company was uprooted in the Chhota Bazar, Ambala city. It fell on the neighbouring houses causing serious damage. Fortunately, no one was hurt. Residents Nirmal and Kaushalya Devi complained that the tower was erected on a weak base, in violation of rules and regulations. Following this, the cell phone services remained out of order.

Rains left District Telecom Office (DTO) Ambala City flooded. Reportedly, officials and visitors had to wade through knee-deep water in the office. People had to face inconvenience as the fax and telex machines went out of order for sometime. Parts of Ambala city remained without power as transformers in Prem Nagar, Jandli, Model Town and several other places were damaged. The storm, say HSEB officials, caused damage on feeder lines which were being looked at by the field staff. As the high velocity winds lashed the city, a brand new Alto was crushed under a tree which fell on the car in Baldev Nagar. At Ambala Cantt, damage was caused to military pension office with its roofs blown away. No one was injured. In Rai market, several two-wheelers were damaged. Low lying areas were flooded. A cyclist Rajinder Kumar of Baldev Nagar died as a Maruti lost control in the storm.

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