Massive storm, lightning kills 45 in North, Eastern parts of India

New Delhi: At least 45 people were killed in North and Eastern parts of the country due to massive storm and lightning, while accompanying rains brought down mercury in many places reeling under heat wave. At least 14 people were killed in Delhi and the NCR region and over two dozen injured in incidents of falling trees, collapse of walls and electrocution.

The national capital witnessed pleasant morning as minimum temperature was recorded at 25 degree Celsius, three notches below the normal level, a day after the massive thunder storm. According to Meteorological department, the maximum temperature was 42.8 deg Celcius, 2 notches above normal.

A massive thunder storm hit the national capital and several other states last evening and early on Saturday morning. In Uttar Pradesh, at least 14 people were killed due to thunderstorm which hit several parts of the state last evening. Light rains also lashed several parts of the state leading to a drop in day temperature. The highest temperature was 45.6 degree Celsius in Banda district.

In Jharkhand, seven persons were killed in a storm that raged across the state early in the morning uprooting electricity poles and hundreds of trees. The storm hit at around 4.30 AM and according to reports a large number of electricity poles and hundreds of trees were uprooted in in Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Hazaribagh, Latehar and some other districts.

While in West Bengal, 10 persons were killed and 28 others injured in lightning strike in three districts which experienced widespread pre-monsoon showers this morning, officials said. Five people died in Murshidabad district, three persons were killed in Purulia district and two others died in Burdwan district. The state experienced widespread rains ranging from 30 mm to 50 mm on Saturday morning, the weatherman said in Kolkata.

However, Punjab and Haryana had no any respite from heat wave. Hisar in Haryana was the hottest place in both states as its maximum was 44.1 degree Celcius, Met department said. Amritsar had a high of 42.4 degree Celcius, two degrees above normal. Union Territory Chandigarh saw mercury settling at 43.7 degree Celcius, up by five degrees above normal.