At Least 89 Die as Storm and Rain Batter Uttar Pradesh

PTI, May 14, 2026, Lucknow: At least 89 people were killed after a strong storm and heavy rain pounded several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and damaging houses, according to the Relief Commissioner’s office.

As the weather changed suddenly on Wednesday evening, many took shelter under trees and flyovers. Clouds of dust enveloped large parts of the state, reducing visibility and ripping hoardings and tin sheds. High-velocity winds also uprooted trees and electric poles, many of which blocked roads, crushed vehicles and damaged houses.

Rescue efforts were launched soon after. Some dug through the debris with bare hands to rescue those trapped, while others rushed the injured, including children, to hospitals.

“Due to bad weather on May 13, 2026, including storms, rain, hailstorm and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 injured persons, 114 livestock losses and damage to 87 houses have been received in the state, which has been taken cognisance of by the Hon’ble Chief Minister,” the Relief Commissioner’s office said in a post on X on Thursday.

It said the Chief Minister has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents “with full sensitivity” and ensure financial assistance is distributed to affected families within 24 hours while establishing direct communication with them and extending other necessary help.

The Relief Commissioner’s office said it is continuously monitoring the situation through direct coordination with district officials, and necessary funds are being made available to districts.

Various videos showing the damage caused by the violent storm were shared on social media, but one from Bamiyana village in Bareilly stood out. The video shows a man being flung nearly 50 ft in the air along with a tin roof by gusts of wind and thrown into a field. The man had held onto a tin shed to protect himself during the storm.

According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to the storm and rain.

In Bhadohi, at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents. Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas and many houses were damaged in the storm.