High-intensity dust storm wreaks havoc, nearly 100 killed in Rajasthan & Uttar Pradesh

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet directed central officials to coordinate with respective state governments for relief work.

Bodies being brought to a hospital in Agra.

New Delhi: The high-intensity dust storm since Wednesday evening has killed nearly 100 people with maximum deaths being reported from parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. Agra district bore the maximum brunt as it accounted 40 deaths. According to news agency PTI, in Uttar Pradesh, the high-intensity dust storm left 64 people dead and 47 injured. In Rajasthan, 33 were killed, taking the combined death toll to 97. Morning reports said 11 people died in Bharatpur, in Dholpur 6 people were killed, Alwar 4 died and Jhunjunu 1 person's life was lost. Also, more than 100 people have been injured. The storm damaged buildings and brought down trees and electric poles. Two people were killed in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh respectively. Three deaths were reported from Rajasthan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet directed central officials to coordinate with respective state governments for relief work.

Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.

Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected: PM — PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 3, 2018

The office of UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath tweeted that he had asked officials to “personally” monitor relief work.

#UPCM श्री #YogiAdityanath ने जिलाधिकारियों को आंधी-तूफ़ान और बारिश से प्रभावित लोगों को तत्काल राहत पहुंचाने के निर्देश दिए हैं।

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 3, 2018

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, too, has asked three ministers to monitor situation in three affected districts.

Have directed Ministers and concerned officials to affected areas to begin relief work immediately and restore utilities. An unfortunate incident, we have been working closely with local authorities to mitigate the situation.

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) May 3, 2018

Pictures of devastation from Bharatpur and Alwar below: