Massive shelf cloud formation captivates Haridwar amid heavy rains

In the midst of heavy rainfall across North India, a remarkable sight unfolded in Haridwar, Uttarakhand.

The holy city recently saw a massive shelf cloud which got captured in a viral video.

The video was shared by Anindya Singh, spanned the sky in a broad arc, leaving viewers in awe.


The video has gone viral on social media, captivating viewers who were both amazed as well as startled by the spectacle. Some described the sight as intimidating, while others marveled at its breathtaking nature.

Shelf clouds, also known as Arcus Clouds, are a meteorological phenomenon commonly associated with thunderstorms. These low horizontal cloud formations often act as an accessory cloud. They are typically formed by a rush of dry and cold air preceding the cloud, with rainfall occurring after the shelf cloud passes overhead.

Though the phenomenon is not uncommon, witnessing it in the Indian subcontinent is said to be a unique occurrence.


The state is witnessing heavy rains for the past few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued an orange alert for July 12.

The water level of most of the rivers in the Garhwal and Kumaon divisions including Haridwar has touched the danger mark due to continuous heavy rains in the state. The water level in dams and reservoirs has also reached almost close to the danger mark.

Earlier, officials stopped the Kedarnath Yatra at Uttarakhand's Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous heavy rains.

In view of the safety of the passengers, the district administration stopped the passengers at Sonprayag and Gaurikund due to continuous bad weather.

Due to rain, four state roads and 10 link roads are closed due to debris. Due to heavy rains, Mandakini and Alaknanda rivers are in spate.