As many as 124 people were killed while more than 300 were injured in five states due to thunderstorm and lightning in the past few days.
Maximum casualty was reported in Uttar Pradesh where 73 people were killed, while 91 others were injured. In Rajasthan, altogether 35 people were killed and 206 injured, while eight people were killed in Telangana, six in Uttarakhand and two in Punjab. Nearly 100 people were injured in Telangana, Uttarakhand and Punjab.
Houses collapsed, and trees and poles were uprooted in the storm that also led to power outages.
Expressing sorrow at the loss of lives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday directed officials to coordinate with states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation of those 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," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted quoting Modi.
UP CM Yogi Visits Storm Hit Areas, Distributes Ex-Gratia
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath who cut short his election tour in Karnataka returned to his home state on 5 May to take stock of the storm ravaged areas, especially Agra.
Adityanath distributed cheques to those affected in Agra's Fatehabad, ANI reported. According to Business Standard, the injured will reportedly receive Rs 50,000 each.
Relief has been provided to the affected. Kin of those who died have been given Rs 4 lakhs as ex-gratia and the injured are given free treatment in hospitals.UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to ANI
He also took an aerial survey of the areas that were affected by the dust storms.
In Uttar Pradesh, Agra was the worst hit, accounting for 36 deaths and injuries to 35 others, officials said.
Besides Agra, the other affected UP districts were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao.
Taking note of the havoc caused, the Chief Minister also directed officers concerned to personally monitor relief operations and provide all necessary medical facilities to the affected.
He also said that no laxity will be tolerated in providing succour to the needy.
Several Killed in Rajasthan Due to Sudden Weather Change
In Rajasthan, 33 were killed, taking the combined death toll to 97. About 100 people were injured in the state, officials said.
A few people are undergoing primary treatment while others were discharged. One critical patient from Dholpur was referred to Jaipur.Hemant Kumar Gera, Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief
A detailed report of the disaster is awaited even as relief and rescue teams were been pressed into service to clear debris and restore power supply, he said.
Gera said contingency funds were released to the respective district administration. He said Rs 4 lakh will be given to family members of deceased, Rs 2 lakh to persons sustaining 60 percent injuries and Rs 60,000 to people with 40 to 50 percent injuries.
Dholpur district was the worst affected with 17 killed. Two killed in Dholpur were from Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed grief over the calamity and said authorities concerned in the districts have been directed to ensure all possible help to victims.
"Condolence for families who lost their loved ones," she said on Twitter.
Heavy Rains Lead to Heavy Traffic
According to The Times of India, heavy showers led to roads getting clogged up causing severe traffic in areas such as the Lajpat Nagar flyover, Badarpur and Mahipalpur in New Delhi.
The report, quoting the weather office, says that rain is expected to continue onto Thursday, 3 May, as well.
There will be generally cloudy sky with drizzle likely to occur (on Thursday, 3 May). The maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 36 and 26 degrees Celsius respectively.Official, India Meteorological Department, to The Times of India
According to The Times of India, in Karauli, the wall of a building collapsed, injuring two women and three children. They were rushed to Hindaun Government Hospital. Two people died in Jhunjhunu after a house collapsed. Fire broke out across several districts as well.
Flights Diverted
According to ANI, several flights to and from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were delayed due to “unfavourable weather conditions.”
(With inputs from PTI, Business Standard and The Times of India)
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