A severe dust storm followed by thunder showers hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan overnight, killing more than 100 people and leaving a trail of destruction. Houses collapsed and trees and poles were uprooted in the storm that also led to power outages. In Uttar Pradesh, the high-intensity dust storm left 73 people dead and 91 injured. In Rajasthan, 36 were killed, taking the combined death toll to 109. About 100 people were injured as winds over 100 kmph hit the region around 7 pm on Wednesday. In UP, Agra district was the worst hit, accounting for 43 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. In Rajasthan, Dholpur district was the worst affected with 17 killed. Hemant Kumar Gera, Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief, said contigency funds have been released to the respective district administration. He said Rs 400,000 will be given to family members of deceased, Rs 200,000 to persons sustaining 60 per cent injuries and Rs 60,000 to people with 40 to 50 per cent injuries.
Expressing sorrow at the loss of lives due to dust storms in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today 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. 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. Taking note of the havoc caused by the dust storm in UP, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has 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.
Those injured will receive Rs 50,000 each.
Apart from Rajasthan and UP, a squall and dust storm followed by heavy rains lashed the national capital and the National Capital Region (NCR), too, bringing the minimum temperature to 22 degrees Celsius. However, the maximum temperature touched 38.3 degrees Celsius. The gusty winds toppled and fell trees at many places, blocking portions of roads, causing traffic jams in several areas. Here are the top updates on heavy rains, dust storms and squalls in Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh: 1) Another dust storm may hit UP and Rajasthan: IMD official: Another dust storm may hit parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan in the next 48 hours due to cyclonic circulation formation in the region, a MeT official said today, reported PTI.The warning came even as the two north Indian states were reeling under the impact of a severe overnight dust storm that killed nearly 100 people and left a trail of destruction.
"There is a high probability that winds will intensify in the next 48 hours in Rajasthan, which may lead to another dust storm. It will affect areas of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan border, especially Karauli and Dholpur," Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) scientist Himanshu Sharma told PTI.
Satellite images have shown wind pressure developing in parts of Rajasthan, which may lead to high-intensity winds and dust storm.
Yogi Adityanath announces compensation: The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has announced a compensation of up to Rs 400,000 to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each of the injured in the heavy rainfall and storm across the state. 2) Dust storm kills 73 in Uttar Pradesh: In Uttar Pradesh alone, with Agra, Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao among the worst affected.The storms also caused widespread damage to private and public property, as many houses were left battered and trees uprooted.Electricity connection in many areas was also severed as power lines and electricity poles were damaged.
People salvage their damaged house which collapsed in the Wednesday night's massive storm, near Agra on Thursday The other affected districts include Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Mathura, Kanpur, Sitapur, Mirzapur, Sambhal, Banda, Kannauj, Rae Bareli and Unnao.
Three persons died in Bijnor, two in Saharanpur, three in Kanpur Dehat, one each in Bareilly, Chitrakoot, Raebareli and Unnao besides other districts, according to agency reports.
3) Rajasthan death toll rises to 36: In Rajasthan, 36 more were killed, . About 100 people were injured in the state, officials said. Dholpur district was the worst affected with 17 killed, according to officials. Houses collapsed and electricity poles and trees were uprooted as the severe dust storm swept the Matsya region."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, said.
A detailed report of the disaster is awaited even as relief and rescue teams have been pressed into service to clear debris and restore power supply, Rajasthan he said.
Gera said contingency funds have been released to the respective district administration. He said Rs 400,000 will be given to family members of deceased, Rs 200,000 to persons sustaining 60 per cent injuries and Rs 60,000 to people with 40 to 50 per cent injuries. 4) Cyclonic circulation over Haryana was trigger for dustA cyclonic circulation over Haryana was the trigger for the deadly dust storm that swept parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, weather experts said on Wednesday, estimating that the wind speed during the storm may have gone up to 100 kilometres per hour.
The winds were so violent that a number of houses collapsed and electricity poles and trees got uprooted, as the severe dust storm swept parts of these states.
The phenomenon was restricted to these two states, largely because of external and domestic reasons, experts said.
There were primarily four reasons that lead to the thunderstorm — excessive heating, availability of moisture, instability in atmosphere and a trigger for the storm, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Additional Director General Mritunjay Mohapatra said, according to PTI. ALSO READ: At least 109 killed in storm in UP, Rajasthan
The Congress on Thursday took a dig at UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for campaigning in poll-bound Karnataka even when people of his state were reeling under the impact of the severe dust storm that has left many dead.
"Even if people of Uttar Pradesh are suffering, I am busy culling out 'jumlas' (gimmicks) in Karnataka elections -- Adityanath, missing chief minister, Uttar Pradesh," tweeted Congress communications in-charge Randeep Surjewala. The swipe at him follows the death of as many as 45 persons in the high-intensity dust storm that hit the state overnight. Adityanath is scheduled to address election rallies in Karnataka today and tomorrow. Expressing sorrow at the loss of lives due to dust storms in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today 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. "Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected," the Prime Minister's Office office added.
7) CM Vasundhara Raje assures all possible help: Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed grief over the calamity and said authorities concerned had been directed to ensure all possible help to victims. "Have directed ministers and officials concerned in affected areas to begin relief work immediately," she wrote on Twitter.8) Ashok Gehlot cancels birthday celebration: In view of the calamity, Congress National General Secretary Ashok Gehlot cancelled his birthday celebrations at his official residence in Jaipur. "We are extremely grieved at the loss of lives in the state and stand with the victims in this hour of tragedy, cancel all celebrations at my residence today. Blood donation camps and Janhit programs can be continued by organisers," he said. A squall and dust storm followed by heavy rain lashed the national capital on Wednesday evening offering respite to the Delhiites from the sweltering heat but caused traffic snarls in parts of the city.Have directed Ministers and concerned officials to affected areas to begin relief work immediately and restore utilities. An unfortunate incident, we have been working closely with local authorities to mitigate the situation.
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 3, 2018
A squall with a wind speed of 59 km per hour hit the city at 16.45 pm and continued till 16.47 pm, MeT Department said.
Some parts of the city such as Sansad Marg, Lajpat Nagar and Dwarka were lashed by the rainfall which started at 7.40 pm. The MeT office has forecast overcast skies along with possibility of a drizzle for today (Wednesday).
10) 15 flights diverted from Delhi airport: Meanwhile, 15 flights, including two international ones, were diverted from the Delhi airport due to bad weather, airport officials said. Heavy storm led to falling of a tree on the road near Delhi’s Siri Fort Auditorium, resulting in a traffic jam in the area. Some other parts of the city, such as Sansad Marg, Lajpat Nagar and Dwarka were also lashed by the rainfall, which started at 7.40 pm. The Safdarjung observatory, whose recording is considered the official figure for Delhi, recorded 13.4 mm rainfall.With agency inputs