111 killed, 72 injured as violent storm ravages 26 Uttar Pradesh districts
Reports on human and livestock losses have been sought from local officials, and financial assistance will be provided to those affected in line with government rules, officials said.
Uttar Pradesh witnessed massive destruction after dust storms, heavy rain and lightning struck several districts on May 13. (PTI Photo) At least 111 people were killed and 72 were injured in the last 24 hours after a violent storm accompanied by heavy rain wreaked havoc in several districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, officials said.
According to the latest figures, the disaster, which hit 26 districts, has so far left 111 dead, 72 injured, 170 animals killed, and 227 houses damaged across the state. The worst-hit district was Prayagraj, which reported 21 deaths, followed by Mirzapur (19), Bhadohi (16), Fatehpur (11), and Bareilly (2). Officials said that most deaths and injuries were caused by falling trees, collapsing structures, flying objects and wall or roof collapses triggered by the massive storm.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed all district administrations to immediately assess the losses and ensure compensation reaches affected families within 24 hours. Under the relief measures, families of the deceased will receive an immediate financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh. Officials have also been directed to expedite compensation for crop loss, livestock deaths and other damages caused by the disaster.
The Relief Commissioner’s office said it is keeping a close watch on the situation through direct coordination with district officials and that the necessary funds are being made available to the affected districts. (Photo Credit- PTI)
The relief commissioner’s office is monitoring the situation round-the-clock, while district authorities have been instructed to submit updates every three hours as weather alerts are in place in parts of the state. Sources said that the figures of casualties and losses are likely to increase.
In Bhadohi’s Rampur, several people fell into the Ganga after the storm damaged a pontoon bridge at the Ganga ghat. All of them were rescued safely, officials said. In Mirzapur’s Gaura Pramanpur, too, a pontoon bridge was damaged, cutting off 20 villages.
In Fatehpur, 11 people were killed and 16 wee injured. In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of wall and cemented shed collapse and lightning strike.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after being trapped under the debris of a cemented shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village in the Lalganj Kotwali area. He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village.
In Kanpur Dehat district, two persons died in rain-related incidents. A 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while sheltering under a tree with goats during heavy rain.
In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning. In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died in a lightning strike. In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped under an uprooted tree.
Meanwhile, Atul Kumar Singh, a senior scientist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), told The Indian Express that storm activity is common during the season, but “speed-wise, this event was unusually intense”. He said the storm’s intensity had crossed 100 kmph in certain areas.
According to the IMD, the severe weather developed due to an interaction between a cyclonic circulation over the northwestern part of the state in the lower atmosphere, easterly winds coming from southern Rajasthan, and westerly winds in the middle troposphere.
The IMD said isolated places witnessed storm winds exceeding 100 kmph, while several areas experienced gusts of 60-70 kmph.
With PTI inputs
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