Thunderstorm, rain death toll goes up to 26

LUCKNOW : The death toll in the destruction caused by rain and thunderstorm between Friday evening and the early hours of Saturday in several districts of Uttar Pradesh went up to 26, home department officials said.

Five people each were killed in Jaunpur and Sulatanpur, four in Unnao, three each in Bahraich and Chandauli, two in Rae Bareli and one each in Mirzapur, Sitapur, Amethi and Paratapgarh districts.

The toll was likely to go up as the respective districts administration were yet submit the details of the damage caused, officials said.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath expressed concern over the deaths and extended his condolence to the bereaved families.

The CM directed the officials to carry out relief work in the affected areas.

On the directions of the home department, the respective district administration have started the process of distributing financial aid to the affected families.

MeT officials said the rain and thunderstorm was a result of northward movement of the monsoon.

“The colder air currents of monsoon and warm winds from west are colliding over UP, causing temporary turbulence in weather,” said UP MeT Director JP Gupta.

The MeT department has issued a similar warning in the state for the next 24 hours. “Several pockets in central and eastern part of the district can experience similar weather conditions in the coming days,” Gupta said.

The weather office has warned that thunderstorm, accompanied by gusty winds, are “very likely” at isolated places in the state on Sunday.