Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Storms, rain, and fierce winds hit several parts of Uttar Pradesh during the scorching Nautapa period (a period of nine hottest days), leaving 16 people dead and disrupting public life in several districts, including Lucknow, the western, eastern, and Terai regions.
The severe weather conditions triggered widespread destruction, toppling trees, tin sheds, and electricity poles, while also causing lightning strikes and sudden flooding. In addition, the adverse weather severely impacted transportation, disrupting rail traffic along the Kanpur-Orai section and in the Gorakhpur region after trees fell onto the tracks and overhead equipment lines snapped.
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Bundelkhand has emerged as the worst-hit region over the last few days, recording 10 fatalities. Within the region, both Banda and Hakimpur suffered severe damage, with each locality reporting three deaths.
The administration is currently investigating additional reported deaths across 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 comprehensive assessment of the damage incurred and instructed officials to ensure the prompt distribution of financial assistance to the affected families.
Meanwhile, the Meteorological Department has issued a fresh alert for Saturday, warning of continued storms and strong winds in 46 districts, along with heavy rainfall in 14 districts of the state.
So far, significant rainfall has been registered in several parts of the state. Mirzapur has received 100 mm, Ayodhya 90 mm, Prayagraj 61 mm, and Unnao 59 mm. Severe rainfall, along with hailstorms, has caused damage to crops and properties in Sitapur, Badaun, and Jhansi.
The rainfall also brings some respite from the intense summer heat, causing maximum temperatures in several districts to plummet up to 8 degrees Celsius below normal levels.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
