Lucknow, May 23 – In a devastating turn of weather events, 46 people have lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh due to severe thunderstorms, heavy rains, and lightning over the past 24 hours. The calamity has left behind a trail of destruction, paralyzed electricity supply in several districts, and disrupted dozens of train services across the state.
Worst-Affected Districts
The highest number of deaths were reported from Kasganj and Fatehpur with five each, while Meerut and Auraiya recorded four fatalities each. The storm also claimed lives in Ghaziabad (2), Bulandshahr (3), Firozabad (1), Etawah (2), Aligarh (1), Hathras (1), Gautam Buddha Nagar (3), Chitrakoot (1), Ambedkar Nagar (1), Amethi (1), and Etah (3). A woman in Mathura also lost her life.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to expedite relief and compensation. Relief Commissioner’s Office has activated all district magistrates to ensure swift assistance to affected families.
Tragic Incidents Across the State
In Ayodhya and Amethi, women died after being trapped under collapsed walls. Lightning claimed a young man’s life in Ambedkar Nagar, while another incident in Sultanpur set a house ablaze and injured a man. Two cattle also died.
Electric poles and trees fell, blocking roads and damaging power lines. Villages like Aansu Mau (Rudauli) and Beniganj (Amaniganj) in Ayodhya faced long outages. In Amethi, a woman died in Mainjhar village after a mud wall collapsed.
Brij Region: 16 Fatalities and Widespread Damage
In the Brij region, 16 deaths were recorded. Kasganj reported six deaths, followed by Etah (5), Agra (3), and Firozabad (2). Around three dozen cattle perished, while 50 people were injured. Power outages lasted over 16 hours in some areas, causing water shortages and significant agricultural losses, especially to mango crops in Kasganj.
Electricity Infrastructure Crippled Statewide
Heavy winds brought down high-voltage towers in Meerut and Hapur, plunging several regions into darkness. Towers on the 220kV Nahtaur-Mator circuit also collapsed. Emergency connections from alternative substations like 765kV Mator and Amroha were arranged to restore partial supply.
In Lucknow, Unnao, Rae Bareli, Barabanki, Bahraich, Gonda, and Balrampur, as well as eastern UP districts like Gorakhpur, Deoria, and Azamgarh, widespread blackouts were reported. Many areas remained powerless well into Thursday due to contractual worker strikes and a shortage of field staff.
Transport and Train Services Disrupted
Apart from electricity, train schedules also took a hit, with dozens of trains delayed or canceled due to debris on tracks and power failure at railway signal systems. Roads were blocked in many places by uprooted trees, hampering relief operations.
Government Appeals for Patience
State Energy Minister A.K. Sharma urged the public to remain calm amid prolonged outages and assured that full restoration work is ongoing. He acknowledged the challenges posed by employee shortages and stressed the importance of the public’s cooperation during this difficult time.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
