Over 100 killed as storm hits India’s Uttar Pradesh state | World News

Over 100 people have been killed in a violent storm in Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state.

Falling trees, collapsing structures and lightning killed at least 104 people, injured more than 50 and damaged homes in northern India, officials said.

Fatalities were recorded in around 12 districts, with the worst ⁠hit being the area around the ⁠Hindu pilgrimage city of Prayagraj.

Television images showed trees and billboards being uprooted by strong winds.

In Prayagraj district, residents described panic as strong winds tore through neighbourhoods. “The storm came suddenly and the sky turned completely dark within minutes,” Ram Kishore told AP.

“Tin roofs were flying and people ran indoors. We could hear trees falling throughout the evening.”

Police and disaster response teams used chainsaws and cranes to clear fallen trees from roads and railway tracks in several districts.

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The chief ⁠minister of the state, governed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party, had directed ⁠officials to assist survivors and distribute financial aid within 24 hours, authorities said.

Storms are common in the northern ‌state during the hot season from March to June, before the annual monsoon rains arrive.

The state is also home to the Taj Mahal, one of India’s most visited tourist attractions.