Lucknow, May 15: Hundreds of people died in heavy rain and storm that lashed Uttar Pradesh yesterday. Trees and electric poles were uprooted and many houses were damaged across the state. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased and ordered financial assistance to be distributed within 24 hours.
While Prayagraj recorded the highest number of deaths at 21, Bhadohi recorded 18, Mirzapur recorded 15, Fatehpur recorded 10, Unnao recorded six each, Pratapgarh recorded four each and Bareilly recorded two each. Sitapur recorded two deaths, Raebareli recorded two, Chandauli recorded two, Kanpur recorded two, Hardoi recorded two and Sambhal recorded two. One death each was reported in Kaushambi, Shahjahanpur, Sonbhadra and Lakhimpur.
Weather Change: The weather changed from yesterday evening with dust-laden clouds covering many parts of Uttar Pradesh. Hoardings and sheds were blown away by high-speed winds, and many people had to take shelter under trees and flyovers as trees fell. Many roads were blocked, and vehicles were damaged by uprooted trees. Many houses were damaged in the storm.
Several videos showing the strength of the storm were shared across the state. One person was thrown from a tin shed about 50 feet high. A man named Nanhe Miyan fell from a height of 50 feet and sustained serious injuries. The incident took place in Bamiyana village under Bhamora police station limits in Bareilly district.
Lightning strike causes wall collapse: Several people have been reported to have fallen into the Ganga after a pontoon bridge was damaged in Rampur, Bhadohi. In another incident, a bridge was damaged in Gaura Pramanpur, Mirzapur, cutting off connectivity to 20 villages. 10 people died in Fatehpur. Of these, eight died in Khaga tehsil. This includes five women. Besides, a woman died in Sadar tehsil after a wall collapsed, said Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi.
Four people died in Pratapgarh due to wall, shed collapse, lightning strike and other causes, while two died in rain-related incidents in Kanpur Dehat district. Two people were reported to have died in Deoria due to lightning strike.
Chief Minister orders for distribution of relief: The Chief Minister has reviewed the deaths and damage caused by unseasonal rains and thunderstorms across the state and has directed that steps be taken to provide financial assistance to the affected families within 24 hours, the Relief Commissioner’s Office said.