21 dead as UP hit by thunderstorm, rain; rest of North reels under heat

Rain and thunderstorm wrecked havoc in several parts of Uttar Pradesh leaving at least 21 dead while rest of North India reeled under heat wave and mercury touched 45 degree Celsius mark in some parts.

In the national capital, it was partly cloudy day with the maximum temperature settling two notches below the season's average at 36.9 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was recorded 24 degrees, normal for this time of the year, according to Meteorological department officials.

In UP, at least 21 people were killed in today's rain and thunderstorm which hit several parts of the state, prompting the state government to hold an emergency meeting to review the situation.

Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan convened a high-level meeting in New Delhi to take stock of the situation across the state.

Four persons each were killed in Pratapgarh and Etah districts, three in Rae Bareli, two each died in Lucknow, Ballia and Amethi, and one each in Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Mau and Hardoi, an official spokesman said.

Storm, lightning and rains led to most of the deaths. Most parts of the state witnessed rain or thundershowers, Meteorological department said. Temperature was markedly below normal in Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Faizabad, Allahabad, Lucknow, Bareilly, Moradabad, Jhansi, Agra, Meerut divisions.

Heat wave conditions prevailed in most parts of Rajasthan on Tuesday affecting normal life as Chittorgarh was the hottest place with the maximum temperature at 45 degree Celsius.

Mercury took an upward trend in Jaipur and Udaipur divisions due to dry weather conditions, a MeT report said. Kota recorded a maximum of 43.4 degree C followed by Jaipur, Pilani, and Barmer with 42 deg C each.

Elsewhere, the maximum temperature varied between 40 and 42 degree C which included Ajmer, Udaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Churu and Hanumangarh districts.