- An unseasonal and violent storm, featuring heavy rain, hail, and lightning, struck the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, resulting in at least 96 fatalities and over 50 injuries.
- The storm swept through five districts, causing widespread devastation including uprooted trees, collapsing billboards, and significant damage to homes, crops, and power infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.
- Many of the deaths were attributed to falling trees and the collapse of house walls, with specific incidents reported in districts such as Bhadohi, Fatehpur, and Budaun, where multiple lives were lost.
- Emergency teams were deployed to the affected regions, though rescue and relief efforts were hampered by disrupted mobile networks, making a full assessment of the damage challenging.
- Chief Minister Adityanath has instructed district officials to expedite relief work within 24 hours, ordered compensation for victims, and directed relevant departments to survey the damage, noting that such intense hailstorms are unusual for mid-May in the region.
IN FULL
At least 96 dead as freak summer hailstorm and heavy rains strike northern India
