77 killed as powerful dust storms ravage north India
This photo taken on May 2, 2018 shows people walking under heavy rainfall in the northern hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh state. Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said May 3. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
There were 46 confirmed deaths in Uttar Pradesh in the north and 31 in the desert state of Rajasthan to the west.
The Agra district of Uttar Pradesh was one of the worst hit with more than 30 people killed. The Taj Mahal is in Agra city but officials said the monument escaped damage.
NEW DELHI,
Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said Thursday.
The overnight storm ravaged Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan states and the death toll was expected to rise, officials said.
157 ANIMALS
There were 46 confirmed deaths in Uttar Pradesh in the north and 31 in the desert state of Rajasthan to the west.
The Agra district of Uttar Pradesh was one of the worst hit with more than 30 people killed. The Taj Mahal is in Agra city but officials said the monument escaped damage.
Most of the victims were hit by falling walls, trees and electric pylons and houses that collapsed.
A man is carried from the debris of his damaged home following a major dust storm in Etmadpur, in Agra district in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state, on May 3, 2018. PHOTO | AFP
"We can confirm at least 46 deaths, 41 injuries from around 40 of the state's 75 districts," T.P. Gupta of the Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner's office told AFP.
He said there were 36 deaths in Agra district.
Officials said 157 animals were also killed across the state.
Three districts in Rajasthan, a state popular with tourists for its heritage palaces and colourful culture, were hit the hardest.
102 INJURIES
"Most of (the) 31 deaths and 102 injuries across our state were from three districts Alwar, Dholpur and Bharatpur," Hemant Gera, Rajasthan's Disaster Management and Relief Department's secretary, told AFP.
Indian children swim in a pond during a dust storm in New Delhi on May 2, 2018. Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said May 3. PHOTO | CHANDAN KHANNA | AFP
Power supply was cut in Bharatpur as more than 1,000 electricity pylons were destroyed. Officials said it could take more than two days to restore power.
The state government quickly released funds to compensate the families of those killed or suffered damage.
"Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter.
This photo taken on May 2, 2018 shows a tree that fell in high wind during a storm onto a vehicle in Bareilly in India's northern Uttar Pradesh state. PHOTO | AFP
"Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected," he added.
Last month, a storm killed at least 15 people in Uttar Pradesh and destroyed two ancient pillars at the entryways to the Taj Mahal.
