Rains, thunderstorm leave over 50 dead across 4 states

Jaipur/Bhopal/Ahmedabad: Over 50 people were killed as rains coupled with thunderstorm and lightning hit several parts of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra overnight, officials said Wednesday.

The unseasonal rains and storm also caused damage to property and crops in Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Rajasthan witnessed the maximum casualties with 25 people killed in rain-related incidents following by Madhya Pradesh where 15 were killed. While ten people were killed in Gujarat, three were killed in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for each of the next of kin who lost their lives.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the government is closely monitoring the situation in rain-hit areas and is ready to provide all possible help to states affected by rains and thunderstorm.

Rajasthan Disaster Management Minister Master Bhanwar Lal Meghwal said 25 people died due to unseasonal rains in the state.

The Rajasthan government has announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of victims.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot condoled the deaths and directed officials to survey losses and damage caused due to the rough weather.

The MeT Department has predicted dust storm/thunderstorm accompanied by high-velocity winds and lightning at a few places during the next 24 hours.

Widespread rainfall accompanied by high-velocity winds lashed vast swathes of Punjab and Haryana also, causing damage to crops.

Officials in Bhopal said unseasonal rain accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning hit various parts of Madhya Pradesh, leaving 15 people dead and injuring some others.

Rains claimed three lives each in Indore, Dhar and Shajapur, two in Ratlam and one each in Alirajpur, Rajgarh, Sehore and Chhindwara districts. Nath expressed grief over the deaths and charged that Modi's concerns were limited to his home state Gujarat.

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat government's Director of Relief G B Manglpara said that at least ten people have died in the rain and dust storm reported from various areas, including districts in North Gujarat and Saurashtra region.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani announced an aid of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the deceased in the western state.

Apart from the rain, the storm also resulted in a hailstorm in some parts of Rajkot district of Saurashtra and Banaskantha district of north Gujarat.

In Maharashtra, a 71-year-old woman, a 32-year-old man and a temple priest died when lightning struck them in Nashik district during rains on Tuesday, police said. See P6