Heavy rains, severe thunder storms lash Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP; account for 35 lives

Heavy rains and severe thunder storms lashed across northern and western parts of India leaving thirty-five people dead in three states and causing damage to property and crops.

Thunderstorm - Representational Image

New Delhi: Heavy rains and severe thunder storms lashed across northern and western parts of India leaving thirty-five people dead in three states and causing damage to property and crops. The unseasoned rains which were caused by western disturbance hit parts of northern and western India on Tuesday causing damage to property and crops, reports ANI. While over 10 people died in Madhya Pradesh, six deaths were reported from Rajasthan and nine from Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who lost their lives. “PM @narendramodi has expressed grief at the loss of lives due to unseasonal rains and storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & various parts of the country. The government is doing its best to provide all possible assistance to those affected. The situation is being monitored closely,” the PMO tweeted.

An ex- gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to unseasonal rain & storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & various parts of the country has been approved from the PM’s National Relief Fund. Rs 50,000 each for the injured has also been approved.

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 17, 2019

In Rajasthan, torrential rains triggered by western disturbance affected normal life in several areas. Chittorgarh, Sriganganagar, Ajmer, Kota and Pilani received heavy rainfall, according to the Met department. “Western Disturbance and winds with moisture from Arabian sea and Bay of Bengal are developing this kind of weather conditions. Gusty winds are causing dust storm mainly in Western parts of the state because the soil is loose and there is lack of moisture there,” a Met official said. Thunderstorm also occurred in eastern parts of the state and similar weather conditions are most likely to prevail till Tuesday night. In Gujarat, a dust storm damaged part of a tent erected for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Himmatnagar town in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday expressed anguish over loss of lives in various parts of Gujarat due to unseasonal rain. "Authorities are monitoring the situation very closely. All possible assistance is being given to those affected," he tweeted. In another tweet, the prime minister's office said, Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to unseasonal rain and storm in various parts of Gujarat.