UP Storm Havoc: Five Killed as Thunderstorms, Heavy Rain and Hail Lash Uttar Pradesh; Temperature Sees Sharp Drop
Severe thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms wreaked havoc across several parts of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, claiming the lives of five people, including three women and two young children.
The sudden spell of extreme weather caused widespread disruption in many districts, including Lucknow.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has also issued a storm alert for more than 60 districts across the state for Monday.
In Lucknow’s Rahimabad area, a tragic accident occurred in Ishu Khera village when a platform wall collapsed during the intense storm, killing 10-year-old Anmol after he was trapped beneath the debris.
In Lakhimpur Kheri’s Jaiti village, under Mohammadi Kotwali limits, a mud wall of a house gave way amid heavy rain on Sunday afternoon.
Six-year-old Kartik, son of Manik Chand, who was playing nearby, lost his life after being buried under the rubble, while his siblings narrowly escaped unharmed.
In Bareilly, a woman fell from a two-storey rooftop along with her cot during strong winds and later succumbed to her injuries while being taken to hospital.
Another fatal incident was reported from Keshopur village in Etawah’s Ekdil police station area, where a neighbouring concrete wall suddenly collapsed during the evening storm.
An Anganwadi worker was killed in the accident, while her husband sustained serious injuries.
Two livestock animals were also crushed to death in the collapse. Meanwhile, in Deoria district, a woman lost her life after being struck by lightning during the adverse weather conditions.
Sharp Fall in Temperatures Brings Unexpected Relief
The widespread rainfall and cool westerly winds significantly altered weather conditions across Uttar Pradesh.
Maximum temperatures in several cities dropped between 4°C and 8°C below normal levels, making the final day of May unusually pleasant.
Etawah recorded one of the sharpest declines, with the daytime temperature plunging by 7.9°C below normal to settle at 34.0°C. Muzaffarnagar registered the lowest maximum temperature in the state at 30.2°C, which was 7.5°C below the seasonal average.
Heavy Rainfall Recorded Across Several Districts
According to weather data from the past 24 hours, Ballia in eastern Uttar Pradesh received the highest rainfall at 34.4 mm.
Other districts also witnessed notable precipitation, including Moradabad with 21.8 mm, Hardoi with 19.4 mm, Hamirpur with 3.0 mm, Meerut with 2.4 mm, and Lakhimpur Kheri with 2.0 mm.
Several locations also experienced hailstorms along with rain.
Pilgrims Temporarily Halted on Kedarnath and Char Dham Routes
In view of the weather department’s warnings and continuing rainfall, authorities temporarily suspended the movement of pilgrims heading towards Kedarnath as a precautionary measure.
Travellers were stopped at Sonprayag and Gaurikund for nearly four hours on Sunday. After weather conditions improved later in the day, 17,156 pilgrims were allowed to continue their journey to the Himalayan shrine.
Similarly, officials in Srinagar temporarily held vehicles carrying Char Dham pilgrims between 10:00 am and 1:30 pm.
Vehicles were stationed at the NIT Ground in Srinagar and at Faraasu on the Badrinath Highway before being permitted to proceed once conditions became safer for travel.
