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.
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.
According to reports, lightning struck 40 mud huts in a village in Dholpur district. People in Alwar had to spend the night without electricity as trees uprooted by the storm damaged electric poles.
In Bharatpur, 12 people reportedly died as winds moving at 59 km per hour speed hit the city at 4.45 pm.
READ | Warning: Another dust storm likely to hit UP and Rajasthan
Disaster Management and Relief secretary Hemant Gera said that a team each has been sent to Bharatpur, Alwar and Dholpur.
Relief and rescue teams have been pressed into service, and the government declared the storm a disaster under the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) norms.
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.
“Have directed Ministers and concerned officials to affected areas to begin relief work immediately and restore utilities. An unfortunate incident, we have been working closely with local authorities to mitigate the situation,” she said.
आंधी-तूफान के बाद अलवर, भरतपुर व धौलपुर जिलों में उपजे हालात से मन व्यथित है। मैंने संबंधित जिला अधिकारियों से बात कर सभी घायलों को इलाज एवं प्रभावितों को हरसंभव सहायता सुनिश्चित करने के लिए कहा है। प्रियजनों को खोने वाले परिवारों के प्रति मेरी संवेदनाएँ।
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 3, 2018
Have directed Ministers and concerned officials to affected areas to begin relief work immediately and restore utilities. An unfortunate incident, we have been working closely with local authorities to mitigate the situation.
— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 3, 2018
Congress National General Secretary and former chief minister Ashok Gehlot cancelled his birthday celebrations at his official residence in Jaipur.
“Very sad to know about 22 people have died and over 100 injured due to dust storms and strong winds in #Rajasthan.. We are extremely grieved at the loss of lives in state and stand with the victims in this hour of tragedy…” he wrote on Twitter.
“I cancel all the celebration programs at my residence on today’s occasion. Blood donation camps and Janhit programs can be continued by the organisers,” he said.
I cancel all the celebration programs at my residence on today’s occasion. Blood donation camps and Janhit programs can be continued by the organisers.#Rajasthan
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 3, 2018
(With inputs from agencies.)