At least111 people were killedand 72 others injured after powerful storms, heavy rain, hailstorms, and lightning lashed several districts of Uttar Pradesh, causing widespread destruction, uprooting trees, damaging homes, and triggering wall collapses across the state. According to a report by The Times of India, the winds during the storm hit a cyclone-like speed of up to 130 km/h.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the large-scale devastation and directed officials to ensure relief reaches affected families within 24 hours. The Relief Commissioner’s office said deaths were reported from 26 districts following the extreme weather on May 13.
Commuters make their way through an uprooted tree lying on a road after a dust storm, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
This combo image from a video shows the sequence, from left, of a man being flung nearly 50 ft into the air along with a tin roof during a powerful storm, in Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh
The statement further said Adityanath directed divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify all incidents "with full sensitivity" and ensure financial assistance is distributed within 24 hours.
Prayagraj district alone reported 24 deaths linked to the storm and rain. Bhadohi witnessed at least 16 deaths, while Fatehpur reported nine deaths and 16 injuries in separate storm-related incidents.
A commuter covers himself with a scarf as he walks during a dust storm, in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said, "Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil."
In Kanpur Dehat, a 19-year-old woman died after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during heavy rain. Multiple livestock deaths were also reported across affected districts.
Adityanath instructed officials to remain on alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct damage surveys and submit reports to the government.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
