At least 19 dead in dust storms in Uttar Pradesh

 At least 19 people were killed and 9 injured in dust storms that hit different parts of Uttar Pradesh on Friday night. Western Uttar Pradesh was the worst hit where maximum casualties were reported.

High-velocity winds at the speed of 100 kms per hour wreaked havoc in about half a dozen districts of Western Uttar Pradesh. Several houses collapsed while electric poles, trees and hoardings were uprooted. Traffic on highways came to a halt on Friday night and power supply was disrupted in several areas till Saturday morning. Mobile and internet services also remained disrupted.

The Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar said that 19 deaths were reported from five districts in Western Uttar Pradesh which bore the brunt of the high-speed dusty wind on Friday night. About nine persons were reported to be injured in different incidents, he added.

Seven people were killed in Moradabad, 3 in Sambhal, two each in Muzaffarnagar and Meerut and one in Amroha. Most of these deaths occurred due to the felling of trees, electric poles and hoardings. There was total blackout in about half a dozen districts in Western Uttar Pradesh. Strong winds also affected rail and air traffic.

The Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of those killed in the fresh spell of storm. “We have directed district magistrates to make available relief material to affected families and provide shelter to those whose houses were completely destroyed in the storm at temporary shelter homes,” said the Relief Commissioner.