At least thirty-five people have been killed in rain-related incidents in Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan. While at least 15 people were killed as unseasonal rain accompanied by thunderstorm and lightning in Madhya Pradesh, at least 10 people have been reported dead after rain and dust storm hit several parts of Gujarat.
On the other hand, dust storm and rains in several parts of Rajasthan left 10 people dead, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.
According to officials, rains lashed some parts of Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday night, claiming three lives each in Indore, Dhar and Shajapur, two in Ratlam and one each in Alirajpur, Rajgarh, Sehore and Chhindwara districts.
Two minors in Dhar’s Pipalla and Dahi villages died when they were struck by lightning, Superintendent of Police Birendra Singh said.
A one-year-old child was killed and three others injured in a similar incident in Malpura village, he said.
Meanwhile in Gujarat, rain and dust storm were reported from North Gujarat and Saurashtra region on Tuesday afternoon, officials said.
“According to preliminary reports coming from different parts of the State, at least 10 people have lost their lives,” GB Manglpara, the state government’s director (Relief), told PTI on Wednesday.
“Most of the deaths were reported in North Gujarat due to lightning strike and falling of trees,” he said.
Also, a portion of a tent erected for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Himmatnagar town of North Gujarat was also damaged in the dust storm, an official earlier said.
In Rajasthan, 4 persons died in Jhalawar and as many in Jaipur while one person each died in Baran and Udaipur, Relief Secretary, Ashutosh A T Pednekar, told PTI.
There are 3-4 more deaths and we are confirming whether they are related to rains, he said.
The Rajasthan Government has announced a compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of the victims.
PM Modi has also announced an ex- gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives and Rs 50,000 for the injured. (With additional inputs from PTI)
