President Ram Nath Kovind expressed grief over the death of nearly 90 people due to the storm that took people in northern India by surprise on Wednesday evening.
At least 27 people were dead and over 100 injured as a high-intensity squall followed by thundershowers and dust storm hit Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Jaipur districts of north-eastern Rajasthan on Wednesday evening.
The storm also ravaged parts of western Uttar Pradesh. According to an official, 64 people lost their lives and 30 people were injured as the squall hit the region last night. Details of the damage are yet to be ascertained.
“Saddened to hear about loss of lives due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Rajasthan, UP, Punjab and other parts of north India,” said the President.
“Authorities taking steps to help affected people. Condolences to bereaved families and wishing an early recovery to injured,” he added.
Saddened to hear about loss of lives due to thunderstorms and heavy rainfall in Rajasthan, UP, Punjab and other parts of north India. Authorities taking steps to help affected people. Condolences to bereaved families and wishing an early recovery to injured #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) May 3, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Karnataka, also expressed grief and said that he has asked officials to coordinate relief efforts with the respective state governments.
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon,” read a tweet from the official Twitter handle of the Prime Minister’s Office.
“Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected,” the PM said.
Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.
Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 3, 2018
In Rajasthan, houses were damaged, trees uprooted and vehicles destroyed as strong winds lashed the region.
The weather changed suddenly, taking the people by surprise. Some of the people were reportedly inside their homes when the roofs of the houses collapsed, killing the inhabitants.
Read More: Storm kills at least 90, leaves over 130 injured in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh
Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed condolences for the deceased and said that her government has directed officials to provide all help to the affected and ensure quick restoration of necessary utilities.
“Deeply disturbed by the situation in Alwar, Bharatpur, Dhaulpur. I have directed district administrations to provide medical help to the injured and all those affected. My condolences to the families who lost their dear ones,” she wrote on Twitter.
The destruction was the same in Uttar Pradesh. Agra district was the worst hit, accounting for 36 deaths and injuries to 35 others.
Besides Agra, the other affected districts were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao
UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that he has asked district administrations to immediately provide relief to those affected.
The CM has also directed district authorities to estimate losses and provide compensation to the affected without delay.
“No sluggishness in relief and rescue efforts will be tolerated,” said the CM, who left for Karnataka for BJP’s poll campaigning today.
संबंधित जिलों के अधिकारी नुक़सान का आकलन करते हुए प्रभावितों को अविलंब मुआवज़ा प्रदान करें। राहत कार्यों में किसी प्रकार की शिथिलता बर्दाश्त नहीं की जाएगी: #UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath
— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 3, 2018