25 killed in UP as thunderstorms and lightning strike 14 districts over last 2 days

Representative image

Severe thunderstorms and lightning strikes on June 14 and 15 claimed the lives of at least 25 people, including eight women and seven children, across 14 districts in Uttar Pradesh, The Times of India reported.

Prayagraj and Jaunpur were the worst-hit districts with four deaths each. In Prayagraj’s Sonvarsa Hallabol village, a tragic incident took place late Saturday night where four members of the same family were killed while sleeping in their thatched hut.

The victims were identified as Virendra Banbasi (35), his wife Parvati (32), and their two young daughters Radha (3) and Karishma (2). Their hut caught fire after being struck by lightning.

In Jaunpur, three children, Ansh Yadav (12), his brother Ashu (10), and their friend Ayush (12), died while plucking mangoes during a storm in Kashidaspur. Another man, Brijesh Rajbhar (28), was killed while working in the fields in Karnahua village, the TOI report said.

Gorakhpur reported two deaths and two injuries. In Bharpahi village, 12-year-old Khushboo died, and two others were injured during mango picking. In Siyarampur, Madhuri Kannaujia (35) died after being struck by lightning while collecting clothes from her terrace early in the morning.

Other fatalities included Jhabbu (45) from Kanpur Dehat, Tara Devi (32) from Kushinagar, Ram Devi (45) from Shahjahanpur, and Nand Kumar Nishad (46) from Lucknow.

Several more were killed in separate incidents across the state: Jitendra (38) in Hardoi, Ratnesh (18) in Sambhal, Nilesh (16), Aniruddh, and Madhuri Devi (32) in Lalitpur, Mehndi (55) in Jhansi, Brajesh Kumar (45) and Mangali (56) in Jalaun, Fardeen Ansari and Ram Anand in Bareilly, and Sabita (45) in Bijnor.

Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday directed officers concerned to promptly launch relief work in the districts hit by storm, rain and hailstorm, Hindustan Times reported.

CM Yogi directed the district administration officers to visit the affected areas. He also directed them to provide financial assistance to the family members of the deceased and others who suffered losses. The injured should be given proper treatment, he added.

Yogi said officers should conduct a survey to assess crop loss and send a report to the government so that further action can be taken.