5 PEOPLE DEAD IN RAIN-RELATED INCIDENTS IN UP

LUCKNOW: : Five people died in rain-related incidents in Uttar Pradesh (UP) as a thunderstorm, accompanied with gusty winds lashed parts of the state, a meteorological department spokesperson said here on Thursday. “Two people died in Ayodhya and one each in Lakhimpur Kheri, Gonda, Firozabad in the rain/thunderstorm late Wednesday night,” the official said.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed officials to provide Rs 4 lakh financial assistance to the families of those killed in the dust/thunderstorm-related incidents.

He asked them to ascertain the losses incurred and also sought a report from the relief commissioner.

According to the officer of the meteorological department, light to moderate rain and thunderstorm occurred at a few places over eastern UP and at isolated places in western UP. Lucknow, Barabanki, Gonda and Sitapur received 3 cms of rainfall each, and Elgin Bridge (Barabanki), Maharajganj, Ballia, Shrawasti, Unnao, Bareilly and Moradabad each recorded 2 cm rainfall, the official said.

Ensure immediate relief, orders CM

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday directed the district magistrates to provide immediate relief to people affected by the dust storm and rain that hit several districts on Wednesday night. Relief commissioner Ranvir Prasad said six deaths were reported from various districts due to lightening and wall collapse.

Yogi directed the officials to immediately provide financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the kin of those who died in rain/dust storm-related incidents. He also directed the district magistrates to assess the damage of crops on priority and provide compensation without delay.

There should be no laxity on the part of the officers in the relief work, he said.