At least 111 people lost their lives, and 72 others were injured during severe thunderstorms, lightning blasts and hailstorms that ravaged some areas of Uttar Pradesh on May 13. And some 26 districts were badly hit by violent weather, destroying homes, killing livestock and disrupting normal life in their districts.
The heavy and intense rains and hailstorm that hit multiple parts of the state caused 170 animals to die and 227 houses to be damaged, according to official accounts. Prayagraj suffered 21 fatalities, Mirzapur 19. Bhadohi, also known as Sant Ravidas Nagar, killed 16 people, and 11 lives were lost in Fatehpur.
After the tragedy, Yogi Adityanath instructed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to see the families in their immediate vicinity and provide relief funds within 24 hours. In direct contact with victims’ families, the Chief Minister instructed officials to give them the best support and assistance possible.
When significant devastation occurred from storms, rain, lightning and hailstorms, the Chief Minister also ordered the ministers of all districts to visit the impacted areas in such an extensive way, to visit the impacted areas for visits and meet up with victims directly.
The Minister is to be charged with monitoring relief operations for all people affected and making sure that all possible support in all areas is extended and reach at once. They have begun to issue compensation to the afflicted families, the agency said.
Magistrates in districts around the state were ordered to rush across the board to deliver financial and emergency support to families having lost their livelihoods to the catastrophe. The state government has cautioned officials against neglect during the relief response.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made it starkly clear that no officer would be tolerated for ignoring victims’ families or delaying assistance. The extreme weather has once more emphasised the ever-increasing danger of extreme weather, particularly during pre-monsoon months in northern India. Rescue and relief efforts are in progress in several districts while authorities probe the scope of the damage.
