64 Dead In UP, 33 Dead In Rajasthan As Dust Storm & Rain Wreak Havoc

The recent update on the dust storm on parts of North India says that over 97 people have been killed in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. In Uttar Pradesh, the high-intensity dust storm left 64 people dead and 160 injured, Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told PTI in Lucknow, reported The Times of India. Agra has the most number of casualties with 43 people dead. These people lost their lives mostly in house collapses.

Previously

33 people were killed and at least 100 others were left injured after a high-speed dust storm wreaked havoc in parts of Rajasthan uprooting many trees and electric lines. The dust storm hit in Bharatpur, Alwar and Dholpur districts. Officials fear that the number of casualties may go up.

Most of those who died were sleeping in their homes when their roofs collapsed in the storm.

As reported by Hindustan Times, 12 people were killed in Bharatpur, four in Alwar, 11 in Dholpur and one each in Jhunjhunu and Bikaner.

Heat waves were reported on parts of Rajasthan on Wednesday with Kota reporting the highest temperature of 45.4 degrees. The weather department had warned of dust storm, heat wave and light rains in different pockets of the state, reported NDTV.

Major destruction was reported from Alwar where more than 100 trees were uprooted and fell on stationary vehicles and electric lines. The power was shut off to prevent further damage. “More than 1,000 electricity poles were uprooted in the storm, plunging the city in darkness. It will take us at least two days to restore supply,” said Alwar power distribution company executive engineer DP Singh.

The Chief Minister tweeted that she has directed ministers to start their relief works.

Have directed Ministers and concerned officials to affected areas to begin relief work immediately and restore utilities. An unfortunate incident, we have been working closely with local authorities to mitigate the situation.

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 3, 2018

The state government rushed the State Disaster Relief Force for immediate relief work. Vasundhara Raje announced that disaster and relief minister Gulab Chand Kataria will monitor relief work in Alwar, social justice and empowerment minister Arun Chaturvedi in Dholpur; health minister Kalicharan Saraf in Bharatpur and mines minister Surendrapal Singh in Jhunjhunu.

Alwar District Collector said that by Thursday morning electricity was restored in parts of Alwar and also Alwar Government Hospital. A survey for damage to properties has also been ordered. Bharatpur divisional commissioner Subir Kumar said that a compensation of Rs 50,000 will be given to the family of the deceased from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

Former Rajasthan Chief Minister expressed sadness over the incident and cancelled his birthday celebrations.

Very sad to know about 22 people have died and over 100 injured due to dust storms and strong winds in #Rajasthan.. We are extremely grieved at the loss of lives in state and stand with the victims in this hour of tragedy…

— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 3, 2018

The effect of the dust storm was felt in parts of Delhi too. The Met department said a squall with a wind speed of 59 km per hour hit the city.