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A fierce storm swept through Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, on Thursday, bringing heavy rain and hail that resulted in over 100 fatalities. Rescue officials confirmed the death toll and stated that some victims fell prey to falling trees or collapsing walls. In the wake of the disaster, authorities plan to quickly distribute relief funds to the affected residents within the next 24 hours.
While tornadoes and storms are frequent in this region during the early hot months from March to June, before the monsoon season arrives, Wednesday’s storm was particularly destructive. It injured 59 individuals, damaged 87 houses, and caused the death of 114 livestock, according to officials.
Most of the fatalities occurred in around a dozen districts, with the area surrounding Prayagraj—an important Hindu pilgrimage city—being the hardest hit, according to Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod, the relief commissioner for the state.
Ashok Rai, a resident of Obra, a coal-rich industrial town in Sonbhadra district, described the chaos: “The whole area turned black for about half an hour. Strong winds lifted signboards and debris, including thick coal dust, and tossed them around.”
Images broadcast on television showed uprooted trees, toppled billboards smashing into cars, and wooden furniture knocked over at roadside stalls. A video captured a man being violently pulled from a tin structure by the storm, injuring him but leaving him alive.
Officials also noted that falling trees and walls collapsed, claiming additional lives. In response, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged officials to extend aid and deliver financial assistance immediately, emphasizing the importance of swift relief efforts.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party oversees the state government, which is actively engaged in providing support to those affected by this devastating storm.
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