38 Dead In Rain Havoc: UP, Bihar And Bengal Hit Hard As Storms Cause Widespread Damage

New Delhi: The weather wreaked havoc on North India, which had been scorching for several days, on Thursday. As soon as the Western Disturbance arrived, strong storm, rain and hail created such havoc that 38 people lost their lives in 5 states. Trains stopped everywhere. Flights were delayed. Half the cities were plunged into darkness.

Which states suffered the most destruction?

The worst situation was in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Bengal. 20 people were killed in UP alone. There were 14 deaths in Bihar. In Uttarakhand and Jharkhand, 2 people each lost their lives in storm-rain accidents.

How did the weather cause devastation in UP?

Storm and rain brought everything to a standstill in Bundelkhand and Purvanchal. Trees fell on railway tracks in Varanasi division. The trains remained standing in one place. There was no light in half the cities for hours. When electricity failed between Gorakhpur Cantt and Deoria, the trains got stuck midway. The pillar itself broke between Orai and Bhua stations. Jhansi-Lucknow rail route had to be closed.

Was the record of 55 years broken in Prayagraj?

The 55-year-old record of highest rainfall in a single day in the month of May was broken. It rained 61 mm of water in Prayagraj in just 4 hours. In 1971 there was 54 mm rainfall. The storm moved at a speed of 75 km per hour in Varanasi. The roofs were blown off. Hoardings fell down.

How bad did the situation get in Bihar?

In Bihar, most of the deaths occurred due to lightning. 116 mm rainfall was recorded in Motihari. Nepal's rainwater reached West Champaran. Gandak came in spate. Roads of many villages were submerged. The condition of Patna airport was such that 4 flights had to be diverted. 36 flights were delayed by hours.

What happened to the tourists in Uttarakhand?

Two brothers from Lucknow who were trekking in Tungnath-Chopta of Rudraprayag were killed by lightning. Three people got burnt. The administration immediately sent the team. More than 50 tourists stranded in bad weather were brought down.

Did the rain extinguish the forest fire?

This rain came as a relief for Uttarakhand. Hundreds of hectares of forests were burning in Garhwal-Kumaon for weeks. This rain completely extinguished the fire.

What was the condition of Himachal and Kashmir?

Hail fell at many places in Himachal. Rohtang, Shinkula, Baralacha received light snow. Strong wind and clouds brought relief from the heat in Jammu and Kashmir.

How much damage was caused in West Bengal?

The storm moved at a speed of 70 to 88 km/h in South Bengal. 7 people lost their lives due to rain and lightning. Roads were closed in many districts including Kolkata. Trees fell. Life came to a standstill.