At least 42 killed in UP, 31 in Rajasthan after powerful dust storm and heavy rains wreak havoc; properties and crops damaged
At least 42 killed in UP, 31 in Rajasthan after powerful dust storm and heavy rains wreak havoc; properties and crops damaged
Deadly dust storm and heavy rains wreak havoc several parts of north India killing at least 31 people in Rajasthan and 42 people in Uttar Pradesh. Nearly a 100 injured after a high-intensity squall and thundershowers hits several parts of western and northern India. Several houses and electricity polls collapsed and trees were uprooted in the Matysya region in the early hours of Thursday, reported news agency PTI.
The dust storm killed several people in Uttarakhand and left a trail of destruction, uprooting trees and disrupting power supply in Punjab and Haryana as well.
Uttarakhand Disaster Mitigation & Management Centre (DMMC) said at least two people were killed in Kumaon and few more injured in other parts after rains and thunderstorm lashed the hill state on Wednesday night.
At least 42 people were killed in four districts of western Uttar Pradesh. thirty-six people were killed in Agra, three in Bijnore, two in Saharanpur and one in Bareilly, state government officials said.
Alwar, 164 km from Delhi, has been without electricity since last night after electric poles were damaged by falling trees. Maximum damage was caused in Bharatpur district where 11 died due to the storm, reports.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has asked officers in the affected districts to provide help to the injured. "Distressed after the storm in Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur. I have asked the concerned district authorities to ensure every possible help to treat all the injured. My condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives," Vasundhara Raje tweeted this morning.
Amidst the disaster, Congress national general secretary Ashok Gehlot has cancelled his birthday celebrations at his official residence in Jaipur. “We are extremely grieved at the loss of lives in the state and stand with the victims in this hour of tragedy… I cancel all celebrations at my residence today. Blood donation camps and Janhit programs can be continued by organisers,” he said. According to Gehlot, over a 100 people have been injured in the dust storm.