Watch: Storm rips through mass wedding, 36 couples flee mid-ritual

A powerful dust storm ripped through a mass wedding in Rajasthan's Tonk, leaving the venue in ruins within minutes. Tents were uprooted, materials scattered across fields, and several women and children were injured by metal pipes. Heavy rain that followed further disrupted celebrations and dampened the festive atmosphere.

In Short

• Strong winds uproot tents and scatter items across fields
• Several women and children injured by flying metal pipes
• Heavy rain follows storm, dampening celebrations

At the onset of summer, a quick spell of thunder and showers can lift everyone’s mood -- especially in the dry, arid regions of Rajasthan. But that was not the case in Tonk, where people ran for their lives, abandoning a mass wedding of 36 couples, as a towering dust storm swept through the ceremony.

So strong was the storm that it left the entire venue in ruins within minutes. Tents were uprooted, and all kinds of materials were blown far into nearby fields. Items brought for the bride and groom were also scattered over long distances.

While trying to escape, several children and women were injured after being struck by metal pipes from the tent structures.

The whirlwind was followed by heavy rain, disrupting the celebrations and dampening the mood of those attending the mass wedding.

The venue had been buzzing with activity since morning -- tents up, festivities underway, and joy in the air -- as members of the Dhakad community gathered in an open ground, awaiting the arrival of Rajasthan Energy Minister Heeralal Nagar. The minister later arrived at the event and blessed the couples after the storm had subsided.

At around 3:30 pm, however, the weather suddenly changed, and strong winds quickly turned into a powerful whirlwind.

Rajasthan has been witnessing unusual weather patterns in recent days due to western disturbances and is likely to experience more thunderstorms and dust storms in the coming days. Just a few days ago, heavy hailstorms in several districts created visuals resembling colder regions.

- Ends
Inputs from Manoj Tiwari