Dust storm, heavy rains kill 34 in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar; toll rises to 57

Dust storm and heavy rains claimed 34 more lives in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, taking the death toll in the two states to 57 today.

The high velocity wind and heavy downpour since yesterday uprooted hoardings, trees, electric and telephone poles disrupting communication links, traffic flow, power supply and rail services in several parts of the states.

The squall claimed 21 lives in UP, taking the toll to 35 from yesterday's 14 in the state.

As many as 13 people died due to incessant rains in Bihar, taking the toll to 22 from nine yesterday. 

Meanwhile, barring Rajasthan, the maximum temperature in
most parts of northern India stayed below normal, a day after
dust storm accompanied by downpour lashed the region.

While, Ambala in Haryana recorded a maximum temperature
of 36.1 deg C, down two notches, Chandigarh recorded 34.6 deg
C, three degree below normal.

The maximum at Amritsar settled at 35.1 deg C (down three
degrees), while it was 37.8 deg C (one deg below normal) in
Ludhiana.

The desert state of Rajasthan continued to reel under intense heat with most parts of the state burning at above 40 deg C.

Barmer was the hottest with a maximum temperature of 43
degree Celsius followed by Kota at 42.8 deg C.

Elsewhere, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Dabok recorded a maximum temperature of 41.7, 41.4 and 40.6 deg C respectively. 

Isolated places in Jaipur and Bikaner division received very light rain.