Fierce storms, rains and winds lashed several parts of Uttar Pradesh during the scorching Nautapa period (a period of nine hottest days), leaving 16 dead and disrupting public life in several districts including Lucknow, western, eastern and Terai regions.
The severe weather conditions caused widespread destruction, toppling trees, tin sheds and utility poles, as well as causing lightning strikes and flash flooding. Additionally, the adverse weather severely affected transportation, disrupting rail traffic along the Kanpur-Orai stretch and in the Gorakhpur region after trees fell on the tracks and overhead equipment lines broke.
Bundelkhand has become the worst affected region in recent days, with 10 deaths. Within the region, both Banda and Hakimpur suffered heavy damage, with each locality reporting three deaths.
The administration is currently investigating additional deaths reported in multiple districts including Raebareli, Ambedkarnagar, Kaushambi, Pratapgarh, Azamgarh, Ballia, Bhadohi, Deoria, Agra, Mathura, Unnao and Fatehpur.
In the wake of the crisis, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed all district magistrates to urgently expedite relief and rescue operations. He ordered a thorough assessment of the damage suffered and instructed officials to ensure the prompt distribution of financial assistance to affected families.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a fresh alert for Saturday, warning of continued thunderstorms and strong winds in 46 districts, along with heavy rainfall in 14 districts of the state.
So far, significant rainfall has been recorded in several parts of the state. Mirzapur received 100 mm, Ayodhya 90 mm, Prayagraj 61 mm and Unnao 59 mm. Heavy rains, along with hailstorms, have caused damage to crops and properties in Sitapur, Badaun and Jhansi.
The rains also provide respite from the intense summer heat, causing maximum temperatures in several districts to fall up to 8 degrees Celsius below normal levels.
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