56 Killed as Storms, Lightning Ravage Uttar Pradesh Districts

At least 56 people were killed and several others injured after a powerful storm accompanied by heavy rain and lightning battered multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, officials said.

The worst-hit districts included Prayagraj, where 17 deaths were reported , and Bhadohi with 16 fatalities . Nine people died in Fatehpur , five in Badaun , four in Pratapgarh , two each in Chandauli and Kushinagar , and one in Sonbhadra district.

According to the Prayagraj administration, deaths were reported across Handia, Phulpur, Soraon, Meja, and Sadar areas due to collapsing structures, uprooted trees, and lightning strikes. In Bhadohi, several trees and electric poles were uprooted, while houses suffered extensive damage.

Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents. “Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while another woman died after a house wall collapsed in Sadar tehsil,” he said.

In Pratapgarh, four people lost their lives in separate incidents involving collapsed walls, cemented sheds, and lightning strikes. Similar incidents were reported from Kanpur Dehat, Deoria, and Sonbhadra districts, where residents died after being struck by lightning or trapped under fallen trees.

Taking cognisance of the tragedy, Yogi Adityanath directed district officials to provide relief to affected families within 24 hours. He also ordered authorities to remain on alert and instructed revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to assess crop and property damage and submit reports to the government.