Dozens of people are dead after powerful rain and dust storms thrashed parts of north and western India on Wednesday.

According to  several reports , the heavy rainfall and strong winds knocked down homes, uprooted trees and snapped power lines.

Reported death tolls varied across media outlets.

The  Times of India  said as many as 97 people were killed, while the  Press Trust of India  put the number of dead at more than 70.

And  The Hindu  reported the death toll had reached at least 64.

The storms caught many people off guard.  As NBC points out , monsoon season in the area is still weeks away.

Additional reporting from  Newsy affiliate CNN .