Severe thunderstorms and unseasonal rains wreaked havoc across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday, leaving at least 22 persons and 45 animals dead and damaging over a dozen homes, reports released by the State Relief Commissioner’s Office have maintained.
The destructive weather led to the collapse of infrastructure and the uprooting of trees across several regions. The state government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the families of the deceased.
In a statement issued late on Thursday, the Uttar Pradesh government said, “UP government declares Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to kin of deceased in thunderstorm and rain that occurred today. According to the Office of Relief Commissioner, a total of 22 people and 45 animals died and 15 houses were damaged across state.”
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed condolences to the bereaved families and instructed officials to ensure immediate disbursal of financial aid and proper treatment for the injured.
Taking to social media platform X, the Chief Minister’s Office wrote, “Chief Minister @myogiadityanath Ji has expressed deep condolences on the loss of life due to storm and lightning in the state and expressed his condolences to the bereaved families. Maharaj Ji has given instructions to immediately distribute the permissible relief amount of Rs 4 lakhs to the families of those who died in this natural disaster and to provide proper treatment to the injured. Maharaj Ji has also directed the provision of permissible assistance to those affected by animal loss.”
The Regional Meteorological Centre has issued an orange alert for multiple districts, particularly in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Thunderstorms, lightning, and squall-like conditions have been forecast for districts including Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chandauli, Barabanki, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Kushinagar, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Unnao, Pratapgarh, Amethi, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ballia, Sant Ravidas Nagar, and Ghazipur.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Bihar, at least 22 persons lost their lives in Nalanda district due to similar weather conditions. Of the casualties, 21 were reported to have died due to the thunderstorm, while one person succumbed to lightning-related injuries.
Speaking to ANI, District Magistrate of Nalanda Shashank Shubhankar said that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief over the loss and directed authorities to release Rs 4 lakh compensation for each bereaved family.
“A total of 22 people have died; of these, 21 died due to thunderstorms while one died due to lightning. CM has given directions for compensation to all the bereaved, and the directions are being followed. A compensation of Rs 4 Lakh each will be provided for the deceased,” he stated.
The District Magistrate further said significant damage to houses, livestock, and agricultural crops has been reported, with an assessment drive scheduled to begin Friday morning.
“Tomorrow, our team will assess the loss of houses and crops, after which compensation for the same will be provided. Five livestock also died — 3 buffaloes and 2 cows. So, the losses are also being assessed and process of providing compensation is being undertaken... The injured are being provided medical treatment...,” Shubhankar said.
Restoration efforts are underway, with teams clearing uprooted trees and repairing electrical infrastructure. “All uprooted trees are being cleared on war footing. Almost all of our main routes are cleared. Electricity supply was also hit; more than 350 poles fell, and over 15 transformers suffered losses. The department has formed 42 teams and they have run a drive. We hope everything will be cleared by the morning,” he added.
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