Strong thunderstorms, rain, and hailstorms have wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh. Falling trees and other incidents have killed 74 people, and injured many more. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for rain, lightning, and strong winds in 38 districts.

UP Weather News: A severe storm, rain, and hailstorm wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday. So far, 74 people have died and hundreds have been injured in incidents such as falling trees, collapsing walls, lightning strikes, and blown-out tin sheds in various districts of the state. The death toll may rise. The Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for storms, rain, and lightning in 38 districts of the state.

Winds blew at a speed of 100 kmph

According to the Meteorological Department, due to the influence of a cyclonic system over western Uttar Pradesh and easterly winds blowing from southern Rajasthan, strong winds of up to 80 to 100 kilometers per hour blew at many places in the state. This weather change, which began on Wednesday afternoon, turned into a major storm by evening.

Around 2:30 p.m., heavy rain and hail fell in Unnao and Prayagraj. Strong winds wreaked havoc in many areas, uprooting trees, blowing away tin sheds, and toppling signboards. In Unnao, a large tree fell on a parked car. Wind gusts reached 80 kilometers per hour in Prayagraj, Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, and Banda. In Bareilly and Badaun, strong winds toppled several signboards and unipoles.

The most affected districts

The storm and rain also caused loss of life in several districts of Uttar Pradesh. Bhadohi reported 10 deaths, Prayagraj 17, Fatehpur 8, Unnao 7, Badaun 6, Bareilly 4, Sitapur 2, and Rae Bareli 1. In addition, people lost their lives in Hardoi, Jhansi, Kanpur Dehat, Sambhal, Pratapgarh, and other districts. A total of 63 deaths have been confirmed so far.

17 people died in Prayagraj

A total of 17 people have died in Prayagraj district. One person died in Sadar tehsil, seven in Handia, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, and two in Meja. The deceased include five women, four children, and eight men. Five others were injured, along with 20 animals lost and 16 houses were damaged.

7 people including an innocent child died in Unnao

Seven people died in separate incidents during heavy storms and rain in Unnao district. A 70-year-old farmer, Ram Aashray, was killed when a mango tree fell on him in the Dahi police station area. Nine-year-old Ansh was killed when a eucalyptus tree fell on him in the Asiwan police station area. Two others were seriously injured and are being treated at the Lucknow Trauma Center.

Power supply and traffic affected

The strong storm uprooted hundreds of trees and power poles. Power supply was disrupted in several districts, and road traffic was affected. Cars and houses were also damaged in some locations.

Yellow alert issued in 38 districts

The Meteorological Department has issued an alert for heavy rain, lightning and strong winds of up to 60 kmph in 38 districts including Lucknow, Unnao, Sitapur, Prayagraj, Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, Banda for the next few hours.

The heat will increase again from May 15.

According to Atul Kumar Singh, a scientist at the Lucknow Meteorological Center, the weather will remain unstable for the next one or two days due to the western disturbance. After this, temperatures may rise by 6 to 8 degrees Celsius from May 15th, and temperatures may exceed 45 degrees Celsius in many districts.

The CM directed to expedite the relief work.

The Chief Minister's Office has directed the District Magistrates of all the affected districts to speed up relief and rescue operations, provide better treatment to the injured and provide immediate assistance to the families of the deceased.