Summary
Highlights
A severe storm swept across North India, resulting in significant damage and loss of life. Uttar Pradesh alone reported 94 fatalities. The storm uprooted trees, damaged homes, and destroyed crops, particularly affecting farmers who had already faced losses due to recent rains.
A particularly alarming incident occurred in Bareilly, where a man clinging to a tin shed was lifted into the air by the force of the wind. Initial reports suggest he sustained serious injuries upon falling back to the ground.
The storm affected approximately 30 districts, including major cities like Prayagraj and Ayodhya. Prayagraj reported the highest number of deaths with 17, followed by Bhadohi with 16. The storm's winds reached speeds of 80 km/h, causing widespread destruction in East Uttar Pradesh.
Delhi Airport was forced to halt flight operations for about an hour, leading to numerous diversions to nearby airports like Jaipur. The meteorological department has issued alerts for further storms, rain, and hailstorms in 51 districts for the following day (Thursday). Additionally, heatwave warnings have been issued for 13 districts in Rajasthan and 25 districts in Madhya Pradesh, with temperatures soaring above 45°C in some areas.
The storm caused trees to fall on vehicles, leading to some fatalities, and brought down electricity poles. In Fatehpur, nine people died and over 16 were injured. Authorities are currently assessing the damage to provide compensation.
Viewers are advised to check weather forecasts, avoid parking under trees, and seek shelter indoors during storms. The report highlights the extreme vulnerability of farmers, who lack adequate storage facilities for their crops and have limited options to protect their livelihoods from such natural disasters.
Eyewitnesses, including Sunil Prasad Singh, describe significant damage to mango, maize, and litchi crops due to the strong winds and hailstones, exacerbating the distress of farmers in the region.