More than 110 people were killed as fierce dust and thunderstorms wreaked havoc across northern and western India on Wednesday and Thursday, uprooting electricity poles and trees and flattening houses, besides disrupting rail, road and air traffic and power supplies.
The freakish phenomena also damaged crops, killed livestock and affected mobile and Internet services and left a trail of destruction across states. Officials say the death toll could increase because full information on the extent of the tragedy was still pouring in.
At least 70 people were killed in four districts of western Uttar Pradesh — 46 of them in Agra alone. At least 35 people were killed in Rajasthan — maximum 17 in Bharatpur. Nine each died in Dholpur and Alwar.
“I haven’t seen such a devastating storm in at least 25 years. Everyone was scared and running for cover as trees and homes were getting blown away. It was a nightmare,” Alwar hotel owner Shivam Lohia told news agency AFP. He said he abandoned his car after it was almost blown off the road.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and said the states have been offered help to deal with the crisis.
Such storms are common in these parts of India during summers but loss of life on this scale is unusual.
Two deaths were reported from Uttarakhand’s Kumaon. Rain also halted the ongoing Char Dham pilgrimage. Two children died in Madhya Pradesh’s Bhind and Satna. Two people were killed in Punjab’s Patiala. Normal life was disrupted in Haryana as well. Many of those killed were sleeping when their houses collapsed after being struck by intense bursts of lightning.
Fifteen flights, including two international, were diverted in Delhi due to bad weather. The city faced traffic jams in some parts on Wednesday evening after a squall and dust storm followed by heavy rain.
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is campaigning for BJP in poll-bound Karnataka, asked officers to personally monitor relief work and provide medical aid to the affected. Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje also directed ministers to monitor relief work and restore utilities. Both CMs announced compensation of up to Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured.
The PM said he has asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected. “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,” he tweeted. Relief and rescue operations were on in all affected states in full swing.
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