At least 33 people lost their lives across five districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday after a powerful dust storm accompanied by heavy rain caused widespread destruction, officials told PTI.
Reviewing the situation, chief minister Yogi Adityanath directed authorities to launch immediate relief operations and provide compensation to affected families. He instructed district administrations to complete assistance work within 24 hours and remain on high alert as adverse weather conditions continue to threaten parts of the state.
The Uttar Pradesh government has also ordered detailed surveys to assess damage to crops, livestock and residential properties caused by the sudden unseasonal weather.
According to officials, Bhadohi recorded the highest number of fatalities with 16 deaths, followed by nine in Fatehpur and five in Budaun. Two people were killed in Chandauli, while one death was reported from Sonbhadra. Several others sustained injuries in separate storm-related incidents.
Officials said the sudden change in weather disrupted communication and hampered rescue operations in some regions. In Bhadohi, strong winds uprooted electricity poles and damaged infrastructure, affecting mobile connectivity in several areas. Emergency response teams, police personnel and district officials were deployed to affected villages to clear debris and assist residents.
Many of the deaths occurred after walls collapsed or trees were uprooted as people sought shelter during the storm. In Budaun, two young girls died when the wall of a mud hut collapsed under the force of heavy winds and rain. In another incident in the district, a woman was killed after a tree fell onto a temporary structure where villagers had gathered for protection.
A truck driver and a young man delivering food were also among those killed after falling trees struck them during the storm.
In Fatehpur, officials said most casualties were concentrated in Khaga tehsil, where several structures collapsed amid the severe weather. At least 16 people were reported injured in the district.
