39 Died Due To Heavy Downpour, Lightning In UP

CM Yogi declared Rs 4 Lacs to all deceased families.

Uttar Pradesh is shrouded in the dark clouds of heavy downpours. Thirty-nine people lost their lives and three were injured in various rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh in a day, the state government said on Tuesday. Most of these casualties on Monday were due to dust storms, lightning, thunderstorms and drowning, the state officials added.

A statement by the state govt. said, "Owing to incidents of dust storms, lightning and thunderstorms and drowning in the state on May 23, 39 people lost their lives and three were injured. Three animals also died."

Giving out details, the revenue department said four people each lost their lives due to drowning in Agra and Varanasi. A person each in Ghazipur and Kaushambi, and two people in Pratapgarh also drowned, it said.

Five lives were lost due to lightning one each in Aligarh, Shahjahanpur and Banda, and two in Lakhimpur Kheri district.

In incidents of dust storms, a person was killed each in Amethi, Chitrakoot, Ayodhya, Firozabad, Muzaffarnagar and Jaunpur, and two people each in Varanasi, Barabanki, Ambedkarnagar, Ballia and Gonda, and three each in Kaushambi and Sitapur.

Taking notes from the incident, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister has directed the officials concerned to give financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the family of those who died, the statement said.

The IMD issued an impact warning suggesting people stay indoors, close windows and doors, and avoid travel if possible. It said the dust storm and thunderstorms may damage vulnerable structures.

As per the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the impact expected due to duststorm/ thunderstorm, lightning and rain over Delhi & NCR areas are:

1. Damage to vulnerable structures.

2. Damage to kutcha houses/walls and huts.

3. Traffic disruption on roads.

4. Occasional reduction of invisibility.

3. Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.

4. Unplug electrical/ electronic appliances.

5. Immediately get out of water bodies.

6. Keep away from all the objects that conduct electricity.

7. Follow any traffic advisories that are issued in this regard.