Scores dead after India hit by dust storm

At least 91 people have died and more than 160 are injured after a powerful dust storm and rain swept parts of north and western India.

Houses collapsed and trees fell as the devastation was particularly severe on Wednesday night in Agra, the northern city that hosts the Taj Mahal.

Some 43 people died there as the wind speed touched 80 mph, said relief commissioner Sanjay Kumar of Uttar Pradesh state. At least 64 people died and another 67 were injured in northern Uttar Pradesh state, he said.

In the western state of Rajasthan, the Press Trust of India news agency said 27 others died and 100 were injured. Most deaths were caused by house collapses and lightning.

The rain storm caught people by surprise as the mon soon season is still more than six weeks away.

Uprooted trees flattened the mud huts of the poor, Mr Kumar said.

Electrical and telephone lines were snapped in parts of Uttar Pradesh state, he said.