In Uttar Pradesh, the high-intensity dust storm left 64 people dead and 160 injured, Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told in Lucknow. Agra in UP saw the highest casualties with 43 people, including children, losing their lives, mainly in houses collapses. Nine others lost their lives in other parts of the state including in Bijnaur, Saharanpur and Bareilly.
In Rajasthan, at least 33 persons died and more than a 100 were injured as strong winds and dust storms hit Alwar, Bharatpur and Dholpur districts, leaving a trail of destruction and uprooting hundreds of trees, also on Wednesday evening.
According to the meteorological department of the Indian Air Force’s Kheria base, on Wednesday night, as much as 48.2 mm rainfall was reported in Agra district between 8:45 pm to 11:30 pm. That was accompanied by 126 km/hr storm winds.
Rakesh Malpani, additional district magistrate of Agra said the administration will pay Rs 4 lakh each to victim’s family killed in the storm. UP chief minister Adityanath directed officers to personally monitor relief work and provide medical aid to the affected. He warned officers not to be lax.