Severe Weather Havoc: 28 Dead Across Four Indian States

The Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, offered condolences to the families of the deceased individual and promised to give ₹5 lakh for each deceased family and ₹50,000 for the injured family. A similar tragic incident occurred in Kaushambi district when a tree fell upon a mud house during heavy rain and fierce winds. 

Three family members, including two young children, died, along with another child sustaining injuries. The victims were asleep at the time the tragedy happened in the early hours of the morning. Two more lives were lost during severe storms compounded by lightning and heavy rainfall, injuring at least seven in Jalaun district. There were also widespread losses in house and livestock as the storm hit, killed 23 animals reported, and dozens of houses damaged. Severe weather also had to face some major destruction throughout West Bengal in particular. Lightning strikes, electrocution and wall collapse struck at least seven people from a variety of districts - primarily Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly and Purulia, as well as South and North 24 Parganas - killed in the latest incident. Some others were injured as thunderstorms washed through the area. 

The Indian state government declared ₹4 lakh to compensate the families of the deceased, and promised free medical services to those who were wounded. Bihar announced 7 people died as a result of lightning within 24 hours. The fatalities were reported in the districts of Aurangabad, Gaya, Saran and Khagaria. State officials have also ordered the government to provide ₹4 lakh in emergency financial assistance to families of the tragedy. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh suffered heavy rains in over a dozen districts. In Bhind district three people lost their lives due to separate weather-related incidents. Lightning strikes and house collapses caused by continuous rain resulted in fatalities and injuries, shaking local communities. Besides all three states, heavy rain and thunderstorms also affected Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Jharkhand. Where the rain provided respite from searing summer temperatures, it also caused transportation and power supply breakdowns. 

As weather agencies forecast greater thunderstorms and rainy days come up in northern India, officials have already told the people to be alert and stay away from open areas during lightning events, and abide by safety protocols issued by local administrations.