Chandigarh, April 19 -- Wind speeds went up to 55km/h as a storm hit the city on Friday evening, as per the India Meteorological Department (IMD). A

n orange alert for a thunderstorm was issued by the department on Thursday, upgraded to red by Friday evening, but the city escaped severe stormy activity as recorded in Patiala, located 73 km away.

But lightning, accompanied by high-speed winds, was recorded in some parts of the city.

As per IMD Chandigarh director Surender Paul, the system had formed due to a convergence zone forming between an active Western Disturbance (WD) and south-easterly winds. "The system started in Tarn Taran and travelled the entire width of Punjab before it arrived in Chandigarh. It was the strongest near Pati...