Casualties Mount After Storm Hits Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan

Lightning strikes and powerful dust storms across India have killed at least 100 people and injured more than 250 as meteorologists warned on Thursday of more wild weather on the horizon.

The dust storm that injured atleast 183 people snapped power lines and sent tin roofs and street hoardings flying in parts of eastern Rajasthan and the adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh.

The Relief Commissioner while confirming that at least 156 animals have also died due to the calamity in Uttar Pradesh, said, “We have sought a detailed report from the affected districts”.

Normal life was derailed in western Uttar Pradesh as a high velocity storm lashed the region on Wednesday night, resulting in deaths of about hundred persons beside leaving over hundred others critically injured.

“Wind speeds of 60kmph can uproot small trees, while winds of about 90kmph can uproot big trees and electric poles”, said Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra, a senior scientist at IMD, New Delhi.

Taking cognizance of the destruction and loss of life, Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, who is on Karnataka campaign trail till Friday, directed the district magistrates of the badly hit districts to carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing and provide the relief to affected people within 24 hours.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said on Twitter she was “disturbed” by the casualties, and expressed condolences for the deaths.

The storm also reached the capital of Delhi, almost 100 km (62 miles) away, along with heavy rains late Wednesday evening. The Rajasthan government has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation to next of kin of the deceased, Rs 2 lakh to those with 60 per cent injuries and Rs 60,000 to people with 40 to 50 per cent injuries.

“Among the 83 injured 51 are from Agra which faced the maximum brunt of the storm”.

Many people died in their sleep after their homes were destroyed, he said.

Sandstorms, accompanied by extremely strong winds, are common for the summer season in these parts of India.

A tree that fell onto a vehicle during high winds at Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday.

The local governments in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have announced that families which have lost a member in the storm will receive 5,993 USA dollars as compensation. Schools across Uttar Pradesh, especially in Rajasthan remain closed. “People are helping too, and we are trying to get all the injured to hospital and clear the roads”.