89 dead after storm, rain and lightning hit Uttar Pradesh

At least 89 people were killed after strong storms, heavy rain, hailstorm and lightning hit several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and electric poles and damaging houses, according to the Relief Commissioner’s office.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the deaths and damage caused by the unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning on Wednesday and directed officials to ensure relief reaches affected families within 24 hours.

In a post on X on Thursday, the Relief Commissioner’s office said, “Due to bad weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state, which has been taken cognisance of by the Hon’ble Chief Minister.”

The office said the chief minister directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents “with full sensitivity” and ensure financial assistance is distributed to affected families within 24 hours while maintaining direct communication with them and extending all necessary support.

It added that the situation is being continuously monitored through direct coordination with district officials and necessary funds are being provided to districts.

According to a list issued by the district administration in Prayagraj, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to the storm and rain.

In Bhadohi, district administration sources said at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents.

Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged in the storm.

In Fatehpur, Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents.

“Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil,” he said.

In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents involving wall collapses, cemented shed collapses and lightning strikes during strong winds and rain, officials said.

Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after being trapped under the debris of a cemented shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village in the Lalganj Kotwali area.

He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under the Baghrai police station area.

Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents.

In Kanpur Dehat district, two people died in rain-related incidents, officials said.

Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while standing under a neem tree with goats during heavy rain. Several goats also died in the incident.

A 60-year-old man standing nearby was injured, they added.

Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding human and livestock losses have been sought from local officials and financial assistance will be provided as per government rules.

In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning, district administration sources said. Two others were injured in the incident.

In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died in a lightning strike.

In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after being trapped under a tree uprooted during the storm and rain.

Adityanath directed district magistrates and officials of various departments to visit affected areas and provide all possible assistance to victims and their families.

He also instructed officials to remain alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a survey of the damage and submit a report to the government.