Lightning and thunderstorms cause 50 deaths in North India
The most affected state is Bihar with 20 deaths. Winds and lightning devastate villages, causing walls to collapse and scores of injured people. With the rains came higher temperatures, reaching 48.6 C in Madhya Pradesh.
New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – At least 50 people have died amid heavy thunder and lightning that battered parts of northern India on Tuesday
High-speed winds and lighting strikes devastated many villages, bringing down walls and leaving dozens injured.
The rains came weeks after devastating dust storms killed almost 150 people across north India.
The eastern state of Bihar was the worst hit, with 20 confirmed deaths due to lightning, followed by 15 in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh and at least 12 in the eastern state of Jharkhand.
In general, the most at risk are the residents of rural villages who often sleep outdoors in the summer to escape the searing heat.
The authorities have urged people to avoid open places and not shelter under isolated trees. They suggest looking for cover in homes and cars and, in the absence of safe places, crouch on the ground with hands on knees and the head tucked in between them.
Storms are caused by summer monsoons, which occur in India between June and September. Heavy rains are typical of the season, but the authorities say that the intensity and dangers this year are higher than usual.
Higher temperatures have accompanied the latest thunderstorms. On Monday, the record was set at 48.6 C in Khajuraho, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh.
The Indian Meteorological Department has warned that more storms and heavy rain are in the forecast for the next two days.
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