At least 91 dead as dust storms wreak havoc in northern India

DUST storms have torn across northern India – killing at least 91 people and injuring more than 160 – as trees, walls and houses were flattened by powerful winds.

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 killed.

Most of the victims were hit by falling walls, trees and electric pylons, and houses that collapsed.

“We can confirm at least 46 deaths, 41 injuries from around 40 of the state’s 75 districts,” said TP Gupta of the Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner’s office.

He said there were 36 deaths in Agra district. Officials said 157 animals were also killed across the state.

Three districts in Rajasthan were hit the hardest. “Most of [the] 31 deaths and 102 injuries across our state were from three districts – Alwar, Dholpur and Bharatpur,” said Hemant Gera, secretary of Rajasthan’s disaster management & relief department.

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 released funds to compensate families.

“Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms,” Narendra Modi, the prime minister, said on Twitter. “May the injured recover soon.”

The Taj Mahal, in Agra city, is said to have escaped damage.