Dust storm LIVE UPDATES: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the officers to personally monitor the relief work and provide medical aid to the affected people.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted another episode of dust storm and thundershowers in the next 48 hours due to cyclonic circulation formation in the region. On Wednesday and Thursday, more than 100 people were killed and at least 205 injured in the deadly dust storm that pummeled several parts of western and northern India.
Meanwhile, Delhi witnessed light showers today early morning bringing the temperatures down in the national capital region. Also Read See photos | | Rajasthan: 27 killed, nearly 100 injured as dust storm, thunder showers wreak havoc
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Rajasthan: 27 killed, several injured as dust storm, thunder showers wreak havoc.
CM Yogi Adityanath rushing back to UP to visit storm-hit Agra, cutting short Karnataka poll campaign: Official (PTI)
(Source: Twitter)
Fresh warning issued for possible thunderstorms in West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and UP today: Home Ministry (PTI)
Thunderstorm, lightning killed at least 124 people in five states in two days, said the Home ministry in a statement. (PTI)
National Disaster Management Authority has forecasted thunderstorms/sandstorms in Western parts of Rajasthan on Friday.
Most of the deaths that occurrred on Thursday were due to lightning strikes Lightning is the biggest killer in India among natural calamities. In 2014 and 2015, it killed 2,582 and 2,641, show National Crime Records Bureau data.
"Thunderstorm accompanied with squall very likely at isolated places over Uttarakhand, West Bengal & Sikkim and Odisha. Thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds very likely at isolated places over Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, East Rajasthan, Vidarbha, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, north coastal Andhra Pradesh, south Interior Karnataka, Interior Tamil nadu and Kerala," read the IMD forecast.
The IMD had earlier issued a "severe thunderstorm activity" warning for several places, but none were for Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Specific warnings were issued for May 2 and 3 for Gangetic West Bengal and Odisha along with other places in eastern and northeastern India as per the advisory issued on April 30. On April 30, the IMD issued a detailed advisory that a cyclonic circulation lay over east Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand and a "trough run from this cyclonic circulation to Manipur across Meghalaya in lower levels".
In UP, Agra district was the worst hit, accounting for at least 43 deaths and injuries to 51 others, officials said. In Rajasthan, Bharatpur district was the worst affected with 19 killed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed officials to coordinate with states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation. 'Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,' the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was in poll-bound Karnataka today, campaigning with Modi. He directed officials to personally monitor relief operations, warning against any laxity. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed grief over the calamity and said district authorities have been directed to ensure all possible help to victims. Rajasthan government said contingency funds have been released to district administrations.
People salvage their damaged house which collapsed in the Wednesday night's massive storm near Agra on Thursday
Meanwhile, see pictures of other states hit by the thunderstorm
According to IMD, another dust storm may hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the next 48 hours due to cyclonic circulation formation in the region.
"There is a high probability that winds will intensify in the next 48 hours in Rajasthan, which may lead to another dust storm. It will affect areas of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan border, especially Karauli and Dholpur," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Himanshu Sharma was quoted by PTI.
Satellite images have shown wind pressure developing in parts of Rajasthan, which may lead to high-intensity winds and dust storm.
In Rajasthan, a total 35 people have been dead so far including 17 people in Bharatpur, 9 in Dholpur, 9 in Alwar. Nearly 205 people injured. Rajasthan minister Gulab Chand Kataria has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to next of kin of those who died due to the severe dust storm.
Taking note of the havoc caused by the dust storm, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officers concerned to personally monitor relief operations and provide all necessary medical facilities to the affected. He also said that no laxity will be tolerated in providing succour to the needy.
"Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar has spoken to Commissioner Agra division and directed that relief be distributed by the evening and senior officers visit the injured in hospitals," Principal Secretary, Information, Avanish Awasthi said.
As per the latest figures, the death toll in Uttar Pradesh has reached 64 and 47 injured in the dust storm in different parts of the state. At least 160 animals have also died due to the calamity. The other affected districts include Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Kanpur, Sitapur, Mirzapur, Sambhal, Banda, Kannauj, Rae Bareli and Unnao.
Weather warning and forecast till May 5 have been issued in Uttar Pradesh. Gusty winds are very likely in several districts.
Light rainfall occurred in many places over Chhattisgarh, few places over Vidarbha and isolated places in West Madhya Pradesh.
A detailed report of the disaster is awaited even as relief and rescue teams have been pressed into service to clear debris and restore power supply, Hemant Kumar Gera said.
"A few are undergoing primary treatment while others were discharged. One critical patient from Dholpur was referred to Jaipur," Hemant Kumar said.
In Rajasthan, the districts of Dholpur, Alwar and Bharatpur were among those affected. Two of those killed in Dholpur were from Agra in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly 100 were injured in the disaster. 20 were injured in Alwar, 32 in Bharatpur and 50 in Dholpur, respectively.
Hemant Kumar Gera,Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief in Jaipur said, "So far, 27 people have died due to the disaster, including 12 in Bharatpur, 10 in Dholpur and 5 in Alwar. The squall was reported mainly in three districts."
"Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar has spoken to Commissioner Agra division and directed him that relief be distributed by the evening and senior officers visit the injured in hospitals," PTI quoted Principal Secretary, Information, Avanish Awasthi as saying.
A number of houses collapsed and electricity poles and trees got uprooted as the severe dust storm swept Agra division.
At least 156 animals have also died due to the calamity in Uttar Pradesh. "We have sought a detailed report from the affected districts," the Relief Commissioner said.
"As per figures received till noon, 45 people were killed and 38 injured in the dust storm in different parts of the state," PTI quoted Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar as saying.
Other districts affected were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao. Three persons died in Bijnor, two in Saharanpur and one each in Bareilly, Chitrakoot, Raebareli and Unnao districts.
Uttar Pradesh's Agra district has been worst hit by the dust storm, accounting for 36 deaths. Here is the list of how many people have died in which part of the state.
“So far, 27 people have died due to the disaster, including 12 in Bharatpur, 10 in Dholpur and 5 in Alwar. The squall was reported mainly in three districts,” Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief, Hemant Kumar Gera was quoted as saying by PTI. He added that contigency funds have been released to the respective district administration.
Taking a dig at CM Yogi Adityanath, who is scheduled to be in Karnataka today to campaign for the BJP, Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said the UP CM was busy electioneering elsewhere when a dust storm has killed so many people in his state.
While in Rajasthan, Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed her condolences to the families affected and directed authorities to extend aid to the victims. The government has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh for the family members 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. Several houses and electricity polls collapsed and trees were uprooted in the Matysya region.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officers to personally monitor the relief work and provide medical aid to the affected people. Adityanath has also warned the officers that no laxity will be tolerated in the case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in Karnataka today, also expressed his condolences over the loss of lives. 'Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon. Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected,' he tweeted.
Welcome to our LIVE blog. At least 72 people have been killed and more than 130 injured in the deadly dust storm which hit several parts of western and northern India on Wednesday. Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have been badly affected. Follow to get the latest updates.