Dust storm, lightning strikes leave 26 dead in UP

LUCKNOW: Friday morning’s thunderstorm claimed 26 lives across the state. Officials said that at least nine of these persons died after they were struck by lightning.
The highest number of casualties, five each, were reported from Jaunpur and Sultanpur. Unnao saw four deaths, followed by Bahraich and Chandauli, which reported three deaths each. Six more deaths were reported from five districts — Mirzapur, Sitapur, Rae Bareli, Amethi and Pratapgarh.

“Several of these deaths took place after people were struck by lightning. In a few cases, injuries were reported after parts of buildings collapsed. One person also died in a wall collapse. There were reports of at least seven injuries, with Sultanpur reporting the most loss of lives and injuries,” said a senior official.

Directions have been issued to all district magistrates to distribute relief material and ex-gratia amount of Rs 4 lakh to each of the affected families immediately. Officials also said that local administration was on alert since more rain was expected in the coming days, especially in east UP.

UP has witnessed around seven severe storms since the beginning of May. Officials said that close to 200 people have lost their lives in these storms across the state till now. While some of them were killed by lightning, most of the deaths and injuries have taken place due to houses or hutments collapsing in the strong winds.