Thunderstorm wreaks havoc in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Jharkhand; 39 killed

Over 39 people were reported killed and 50 others injured as massive thunderstorm accompanied by squall hit parts of Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh on Monday night.

Seventeen people were killed in Bihar and nine in Uttar Pradesh in the thunderstorm and lightning.

In Jharkhand, the high-velocity storm with wind speed of over 70 km per hour uprooted trees, electricity poles and killed 13 people. At least 28 others were injured due to the storm in different parts of the state.

In Uttar Pradesh, five persons were killed and four others injured as lightning struck some parts of Unnao district last night, said Principal Secretary, Information, Avinish Awasthi, according to PTI.

There were also reports of two deaths, each in Kanpur and Rae Bareli, he said.

Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted thunderstorm accompanied with heavy rains and hailstone over the next few hours in isolated areas of Hardoi, Sitapur and Farrukhabad districts in UP.

"Thunderstorm accompanied with Rain/Squall/Hailstone is likely to occur today during next 3 hours over some areas in Hardoi, Sitapur, Farrukhabad districts & adjoining areas," a Met official said.

Private weather management agency Skymet Weather has also forecast severe weather condition in parts of Bihar over the next three-four hours. 

"Duststorm and thundershower with strong winds 40-60 kmph at some places over Araria, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Champaran, Purba Champaran, Sheohar, Sitamarhi, Supaul and Raxaul during next 3-4 hours," Skymet tweeted.