UP: 26 killed in dust storms, lightning

As many as 26 people were killed due to dust storms and lightning in different parts of Uttar Pradesh, an official spokesman said on Saturday.

Dust storms and lightning hit places in 11 districts of the state last night resulting in the death of 26 people, he said.

While five deaths each were reported from Jaunpur and Sultanpur, four died in Unnao, three each died in Chandauli and Bahraich, two in Rae Bareli and one each in Mirzapur, Sitapur, Amethi and Pratapgarh, the spokesman said.

Kannauj district was also affected by a dust storm but no casualty was reported from there, he said, reports PTI.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the district magistrates of the affected areas to immediately provide compensation to families of those killed and said no laxity will be tolerated.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the district magistrates of the affected areas to immediately provide compensation to families of those killed and said no laxity will be tolerated.

Expressing grief over the deaths, he said the state government will extend all possible help to those hit by dust storms and related incidents, according to the spokesman.

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

Eighty people were killed when a dust storm struck several parts of UP on May 2-3.

Most of the deaths had occurred in Agra district.

At least 18 people lost their lives in a thunderstorm that hit several places in the state on May 9 and 10. Fifty-one people died in similar incidents on May 14.