Rain, squall lash Kumbh area, 3 hurt as tree falls on them

In the second weather-related mishap in the past four days at the ongoing Kumbh fair, three persons were injured on Monday when a tree fell on them at Badnagar area as hailstorm and squall coupled with rain played spoilsport at the second ‘shahi snan’ (royal bath).

On May 5, seven persons were killed and around 90 injured when heavy rains accompanied by lightning and squall flattened and uprooted makeshift tents of pilgrims in and around the site of the Kumbh Mela.

“Three persons, possibly devotees, were injured in Badnagar area of the Simhastha Mela when a tree fell on them following a squall that hit the religious fair. Besides three camps were also damaged in Mangalnath area,” Ujjain SP Manohar Varma said. A large number of devotees were seen scurrying for cover as weather turned hostile around 3 pm.

“No death or major loss to property has been reported,” Ujjain district collector Kavindra Kiyawat said. “We are gathering information. Some places had been hit by the hailstorm,” he added.