UP Reels: 30 Dead as Lightning, Hailstorms Strike

Uttar Pradesh has been severely impacted by recent lightning and hailstorms, resulting in the deaths of at least 30 people. The most affected districts include Prayagraj with 21 fatalities, Mirzapur with 19, Sant Ravidas Nagar with 16, and Fatehpur with 11. In addition to human casualties, the extreme weather events led to the loss of 170 livestock and damaged 227 houses across several districts.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has taken immediate action, directing officials to visit affected sites, provide assistance, and release compensation to victims. District magistrates have been instructed to launch relief and rescue operations and distribute ex-gratia payments to the families of those killed and injured. Ministers-in-charge are also being deployed to monitor the relief efforts on the ground.

The Integrated Control and Command Centre is regularly monitoring the situation in the affected districts. Information regarding loss of life, livestock, and crops has been received from 25 districts, including Barabanki, Bahraich, and Kanpur Dehat. Officials are being urged to expedite surveys of crop and house damage to ensure timely compensation distribution.