New Delhi, May 7: The Delhi government on Monday decided to close all evening schools tomorrow following the weather department's warning about heavy rains and thunderstorm. Haryana government has also cancelled leaves of officials. In view of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issuing an alert forecasting thunderstorm and squall tomorrow in several parts of north India, all schools will also remain closed in Haridwar and Dehradun on Tuesday.

IMD issues a warning that thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail likely into hit Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand on May 8. Jammu and Kashmir, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Uttar Pradesh and sub--Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim are likely to witness similar weather conditions.

Gusty winds with speed around 50 – 70 kilometres per hour are expected to blow across some places in North and North-eastern parts of the country. Metro services in Delhi and NCR will also be affected by the storm.

According to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) movement of metro trains will remain normal if the range of wind speed is between 70-90 kmph, but trains will enter with a restricted speed of 40 kmph or less at the platforms on the elevated section. “If the wind speed is reported more than 90 kmph then trains will be put on hold at platforms and no train will enter platform with a speed of more than 15 kmph,” a senior DMRC official told PTI.

Meanwhile, severe dust storm has hit Jhunjunu and Sikar districts of Rajasthan. Earlier today, a dust storm was also reported from Rajasthan’s Bikaner and Jaisalmer districts. Heavy rains are also expected at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, south interior Karnataka and Kerala.

At least 124 people were killed and more than 300 others injured in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning last week. Uttar Pradesh suffered the maximum with 73 deaths due to the dust storm.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 07, 2018 10:54 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).