66 people killed in storms across India

NEW DELHI - At least 66 people were killed and many others injured across India after dust storms, thunderstorms and rain accompanied by gusty winds hit many states including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and the national capital New Delhi, officials said on Monday.

Most of the deaths occurred when winds and falling trees caused buildings to collapse, leaving people buried in the wreckage.

At least 34 people were killed and 47 injured when thunderstorms swept Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, displacing hundreds of people, Sanjay Kumar, relief commissioner for the state, told Reuters by telephone.

Five people were killed in New Delhi and the surrounding region, largely due to falling trees, authorities said.

At least 11 people, including five children, were killed in the eastern state of West Bengal, said S. Suresh Kumar, principal secretary at the state disaster management department, while four people were killed in the eastern state of Odisha, said Prabhat Mohapatra, deputy special relief commissioner.

In Andhra Pradesh state in the south, at least 12 people were killed by lightning, said M.V. Sheshagiri Babu, the state's relief commissioner.

According to India's Meteorological Department, a squall and dust storm with a wind speed of up to 109 kilometers per hour hit the capital city and its outskirts.

"The winds claimed two lives, besides injuring 19 people," the state-run broadcaster All India Radio said. The storms caused disruption in flight, rail and metro operations in the capital city, affecting commuters.

Reports quoting officials said about 70 flights were diverted from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport and flight operations were put on hold due to storm.

Likewise, Delhi Metro services were hampered by the storm, which left thousands of commuters stuck in stations.

Several areas in the city faced power outages as electricity lines snapped. Power companies maintenance teams have been restoring the electricity supply.

Both India's prime minister and president have expressed their sadness over the deaths caused by the storms.

"Saddened by the loss of lives due to storms in some parts of the country. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. Asked officials to provide all possible assistance to those affected," Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.

India's Meteorological Department said thunderstorms are expected across the northwest over the next 48 to 72 hours, as several weather phenomena, including a system from the west, converge.

Storms are common at this time of the year, the beginning of the rainy season in South Asia, but the severity of the weather this year, and the human cost, have been unusual.

Local government in Uttar Pradesh have advised people in the state to remain indoors inside concrete structures and avoid venturing near trees, transformers and electricity polls during the storm.

Hail and rain storms killed more than 78 people in northern and western India at the beginning of this month.

Xinhua - Ap - Reuters

(China Daily 05/15/2018 page11)