Over 90 dead, 183 injured as squall, sandstorms hit parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan; Narendra Modi condoles deaths
A storm whipped through a large swathe of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, killing over 100 people in a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops.
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A dust storm approaching the city of Bikaner. A storm whipped through a large swathe of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, killing over 100 people in a trail of destruction that brought down mud houses, uprooted trees and flattened crops. PTI
At least 183 others were injured as a massive dust storm, followed by thunder showers, snapped power lines and sent tin roofs and street hoardings flying in parts of eastern Rajasthan and the adjoining areas of Uttar Pradesh. PTI
Women walk along Rajpath during a dust storm in New Delhi. The Met department has predicted another dust storm in parts of Rajasthan and UP in the next 48 hours. PTI
Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) Additional Director General Mritunjay Mohapatra said the trigger for the storm was a cyclonic circulation over Haryana. But also responsible were a western disturbance over north Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir, and easterly winds from the Bay of Bengal. PTI
Agra district was the worst hit, accounting for at least 43 deaths and injuries to 51 others, officials said. Besides Agra, the other storm-hit Uttar Pradesh districts were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao. PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the deaths and directed officials to coordinate with states to ensure speedy relief and rehabilitation. Rajastan government announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the family members of those dead. PTI