Dust storm damages part of tent for PM Modi's Guj rally

A dust storm Tuesday damaged part of a tent being erected for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's April 17 rally in Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat.

Some covering material of the structure was either blown away or torn apart, local BJP leaders said, adding that the structure, which is intended to provide shade to people and dignitaries on stage, remained largely intact.

Gujarat Home minister Pradeepsinh Jadeja was taking stock of the preparations when the incident occurred.

He exuded confidence that the damaged portion will be repaired soon.

"The PM's rally will take place as perschedule tomorrow afternoon. The storm damaged some potion of the dome as well as the decoration. It will be repaired soon," Jadeja told reporters.

As per a BJP release, Modi would address three election rallies Wednesday at Himmatnagar, Surendranagar and Anand, and one at Amreli on Thursday.

The Meteorological Centre here had issued a warning earlier in the day that "thunderstorm /dust raising winds" with light rain would occur in some parts of north Gujarat.