Dealth toll mounts to 84 in dust storm

The death toll from Sunday’s dust storm, rain and lightning has reached 84. Fifty two people were killed in Uttar Pradesh, 12 in West Bengal, 13 in Andhra Pradesh, 5 in Bihar and two death were reported in the national capital.

In Uttar Pradesh, fifty two people were killed in rain and lightning-related incidents. Death of nine persons has been reported from Bareilly district followed by eight in Barabanki and 6 in Kasganj districts. Four deaths are reported from Bulandshahr and 3 from Lakhimpur Kheri, two each in Ghaziabad and Saharanpur.According to reports that 82 persons were injured in 32 different districts. 

In Andhra Pradesh, deaths reported from Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Kadapa districts. 

In Bihar, five people were killed in the hailstorm late last night. 

Two people lost their lives in



Chhapra while one each in Patna, Samastipur and Saharsa. Crops of Mango, Litchi and Maize have been damaged in large areas. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has instructed officials to pay ex-gratia to the affected families. 

A squall and dust storm with a wind speed of up to 109 kilometres per hour battered Delhi and neighbouring areas killing two and injuring 19.

President Ram Nath Kovind and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have expressed grief over the loss of lives. 

The MeT department has said, thunderstorms are occurring due to the circulation of a western disturbance in North West India and strong easterlies.Senior MeT Department official, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said, the thunderstorms will continue for the next 2- 3 days over North-Western, Eastern and Southern parts of the country.