Hailstorm in coastal Andhra Pradesh surprises people

Hailstorm swept many parts of Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts on Monday. For nearly 30 minutes. Hail stones weighing around 250 to 500 grams pounded the areas. A resident of Pendurty said, “Squall and hailstorm was witnessed for nearly half an hour. Crops and some thatched huts were partially damaged in the area”.

Meterologists said that the city, however, did not witness any hailstorm. “The airport and its surrounding areas received 7mm rainfall till 5.30 pm, while the city’s Waltair observatory centre recorded 0.5 mm. The hailstorm was brought by the cumulonimbus clouds, which occur in summer due to sudden rise in temperature”, said the officials from the Cyclone Warning Centre (CWC), Visakhapatnam.

“It was the first hail storm in a large scale this summer in north coastal Andhra Pradesh. Hailstorms occur in summer for a short period followed by thunder showers and rain. Hailstorms damage crops, particularly mango and cashew”, said, India Meteorological Department director (forecast) K Nagaratnam

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