A violent storm bringing rain and hail scythed across India’s most populous state of Uttar Pradesh, killing more than 100 people, rescue officials said yesterday, as the chief minister ordered relief funds to be distributed within 24 hours.
Storms are common in the northern state during the hot season from March to June before monsoon rains bring respite, but Wednesday’s storm injured 59 people, damaged 87 homes, and killed 114 livestock, authorities said.
At least 104 people died in about a dozen districts, the worst hit being the area around the Hindu pilgrimage city of Prayagraj.
Television images showed uprooted trees and billboards swept onto cars in the aftermath of the storm, which also knocked down wooden furniture at roadside stalls.
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