HARIDWAR: In a dramatic display, Uttarakhand's Haridwar witnessed the emergence of a colossal and ominous shelf cloud amidst torrential downpours, captivating social media users. Anindya Singh, a Twitter user, shared a video of this awe-inspiring phenomenon that left people astounded. These massive cloud formations, known as 'Arcus Clouds,' typically develop at the forefront of thunderstorms or along the boundary of a cold front, as per the Weather Zone website. Stretching across the sky in a sweeping arc, these clouds sometimes give the illusion of rotating horizontally.
According to the website, shelf clouds materialize when cold and dense air forcefully invades a warmer air mass propelled by the wind. This sudden surge of cold air frequently occurs during a thunderstorm's downdraft, where it rushes toward the ground before dispersing and generating a gust front.
It is during this time of the year that we heighten our alertness as the season unfolds. We strongly advise all Chardham Yatra pilgrims to exercise caution and commence their journey only after considering the prevailing weather conditions. Additionally, the Kanwar Yatra is currently underway. Rainfall is being experienced in various areas, and the local authorities are diligently monitoring the situation.
Shared by a friend. Shot today near Haridwar. Spectacular shelf cloud.
#Manali #Storm #Rain #thunderstorm #shelfcloud pic.twitter.com/he9KXg9qse
— Anindya Singh (@Anindya_veyron) July 9, 2023
Officials reported that the Badrinath National Highway, along with several other roads, became inaccessible due to continuous rainfall and landslides on Monday, as per reports. However, after a few hours, the traffic on the highway was restored, while efforts are still underway to reopen the remaining closed roads. The Meteorological Department has issued a warning for heavy rainfall in 11 districts of the state.
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