15 more killed as thunderstorm, rain lash state
LUCKNOW: At least 15 people were killed and 32 injured after thunderstorm and rain lashed the state on Thursday.
Six deaths were reported in Sitapur, three in Gonda, three in Kaushambi and one each in Faizabad, Hardoi and Chitrakoot districts, a revenue department officer said.
Twenty one people were injured in Sitapur and 11 in Faizabad. Eleven cattle heads also died in various districts.
On June 8, at least 16 people were killed as thunderstorm and rain lashed the state.
The state government has directed the district magistrates concerned to distribute relief among the victims.
Around 285 people have died and 361 were injured in separate spells of rain and thunderstorm across 61 districts of UP since April 6, the officer added. Majority of the deaths were due to wall and roof collapse, he said, adding that lightning and instances of falling trees were among the other reasons. A Met department officer said rain or thunderstorm were very likely at many places across the state in the next 48 hours.
Met director JP Gupta said the north-westerly winds have intensified the heat wave and the monsoon is likely to hit the state five days after the expected date of arrival.
On Thursday, Fategarh was hottest in the state with a day temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius (three degrees above normal). Etawah sizzled at 43.6 degree celsius, Hamirpur 42.6, Agra 41.9 and Aligarh 40.8. The maximum temperature in Lucknow was 39.2 degree Celsius which was normal.