Several people killed as lightning, storm, rain, hit Delhi, UP, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and WB

Several people got killed on Sunday as thunderstorms and rains hit various states. Gusty winds blew across many parts of the country. The deaths from reported from UP, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal and Delhi-NCR. Thunderstorm and rains reportedly caused huge damage and power outages. More than 70 incoming flights were diverted from the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) following a powerful dust storm and rain.

At least 18 people were killed and 28 injured in hail and thunderstorm that hit different parts of Uttar Pradesh, The Times Of India quoted officials as saying.

At least two people were killed and 18 others injured in a severe dust storm that hit Delhi on Sunday evening, police said. In Sarita Vihar area in southeast Delhi, a tin sheet blown off a rooftop by strong wind hit pedestrian Rohit, 22, injuring him seriously. He was rushed to Apollo hospital where he was declared brought dead. In Pandav Nagar area in east Delhi, Sonwati, 56, died after a tree fell on her, police added.

Nine people including three farmers died of lightning in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh on Sunday, officials said. The three farmers died of lightning in Telangana’s Mancherial district early in the day while six deaths were reported from Srikakulam district in north coastal Andhra.

The farmers were killed in their field in Arepalli village. According to police, the farmers had gone to their fields to protect the paddy from rains. The deceased have been identified as R. Rajaiah, K. Bapu and J. Ramesh.

The farmers were trying to place covers on the paddy kept in the field after cutting but did not succeed due to strong winds and rains. In the meantime, they were struck by lightning.

Meanwhile, six persons died of lightning in separate incidents in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district. Heavy rains accompanied by gusty winds have been lashing Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts since early Sunday.

At least 10 persons, including five teenagers, were killed in lightning strikes as a Northwester accompanied by heavy rain lashed parts of the Gangetic West Bengal on Sunday afternoon, a state disaster management official said.

While four youngsters lost their lives in a lightning strike in Howrah district’s Uluberia, two men each were killed in Nadia and West Midnapore’s Ghatal and one in Murshidabad.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted that Uttarakhand, J&K and Himachal Pradesh are likely to get thunderstorms on Monday. The subsequent effect on the plains of northern India has also been predicted.

By EP Web Desk and IANS