Samajwadi Party Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday expressed deep sorrow over the deaths caused by severe storms and thunderstorms in several districts of Uttar Pradesh and urged the government to undertake relief and rescue operations on a war footing.
According to media reports, several people were killed across five districts of the state after a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rainfall triggered widespread destruction.
In a post on his WhatsApp channel, the SP chief described the tragedy as “extremely heartbreaking” and said that 54 people had lost their lives in districts including Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra and Badaun. He added that lakhs of people had been badly affected after houses, trees and walls collapsed during the storm.
He called on the state government to immediately speed up rescue and relief measures and ensure all possible assistance to those affected. “The government should immediately carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing,” he said.
The former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister also demanded immediate arrangements for the “best possible free treatment” for the injured and said food and drinking water should be provided to affected families without delay. He further urged authorities to arrange temporary accommodation for people displaced by the destruction.
Seeking financial assistance for victims, Yadav said the government should swiftly assess the losses suffered by people, including damage to lives, property, crops and vehicles, and ensure insurance claims and compensation are processed quickly.
He also appealed to Samajwadi Party workers and volunteers who were not impacted by the disaster to extend all possible help to affected residents during the crisis.
“Humble tributes to those who lost their lives, and our deepest condolences to the bereaved families,” Yadav said in his message.