Thunderstorms and hailstorms, along with heavy rain, killed 91 people in Uttar Pradesh have in the past 24 hours.
Power was cut off in more than 2,000 villages across several districts, including Barabanki, Sitapur, and Deoria.
Reports here on Thursday said in Bareilly, the storm blew a 50-year-old man, along with a tin shed, about 50 feet in the air. He landed 100 meters away in a field, breaking his arm. He was treated at the hospital and sent home.
Prayagraj and Bhadohi recorded the highest number of deaths, with 17 each. Fifteen people died in Mirzapur due to thunderstorms and lightning. Six deaths were reported each in Fatehpur and Badaun, and four each in Pratapgarh and Bareilly.
Over the past 24 hours, rains were witnessed in 30 districts, including Ghaziabad, Varanasi, and Ayodhya. Thunderstorms and hailstorms accompanied rain in Mathura, Unnao, and Prayagraj. Trees were uprooted in many places, power poles were uprooted, and vehicles were damaged by wall collapses.
However,the weather has been clear since Thursday morning. The sun is shining brightly. The humidity in the air has neutralized the heat. Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a thunderstorm and rain alert for 51 districts today. Strong winds are also possible during this time.
Lucknow meteorologist Atul Kumar Singh said, “The western disturbance will start weakening from today.This will lead to clearer weather in the state. Temperatures will gradually rise. It will become hotter both day and night. From May 16, there is a possibility of heat waves and increased heat in Bundelkhand and southern districts”.
Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party national president Akhilesh Yadav expressed deep grief over the loss of life caused by the severe storm that hit the state.
He said that hundred of people died in several districts of the state, including Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra, and Badaun, while millions were affected by the collapse of houses, trees, and walls.
The SP president demanded that the government carry out relief and rescue operations on a war footing. He called for immediate arrangements for better and free treatment for the injured, and for immediate provision of food and water in the affected areas. He also demanded that temporary accommodation be provided for those whose homes were damaged.
Yadav demanded that the deceased be given a respectful last rites, and that the loss of life, property, crops, and vehicles in the disaster be quickly assessed, and that the affected families be provided with insurance and appropriate compensation.
He also appealed to Samajwadi Party workers who are unaffected by this disaster to come forward and provide all possible assistance to the affected families.
The SP chief paid his humble tribute to the deceased and expressed his deepest condolences to the bereaved families.