8 killed in U.P. thunderstorm

Eight persons died in Uttar Pradesh as a thunderstorm hit parts of the State on Wednesday, a senior official said.

Four deaths in Etawah

Four deaths were reported in Etawah, three in Mathura and one in Agra. Four others were injured in Etawah, said Awanish Awasthi, Principal Secretary of the State Information Department.

“One person has died in Etmadpur area of Agra after tree fell on his kuccha house. The DM has been told to distribute the relief immediately,” Mr. Awasthi said.

The districts affected included Agra, Aligarh, Firozabad, Mathura and other parts of western U.P.

Compensation ordered

In a statement issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is away campaigning in Karnataka, he directed district officials to provide immediate compensation to the affected persons and calculate the losses.

“The Chief Minister said laxity and callousness in relief works will not be tolerated,” a government spokesperson said.

73 died last week

The storm comes a week after 73 people died in the State as hailstorm, lightning and dust storms damaged property, crops and caused human loss in 22 districts.

With 43 casualties and 51 injured, Agra was the worst-affected district.