A dust storm accompanied by high velocity winds, that lashed parts of Uttar Pradesh late Sunday evening, has left 19 dead, taking the state's toll on account of thunder, storm and lightning to 63, officials stated on Monday .
State spokesman Diwakar Tripathi said, "Although there was a lull after Saturday morning thunder and lightning that took 42 lives, a dust storm hit certain districts on Sunday evening, killing 21."
He said, "Once again the victims were mostly pavement dwellers and poor villagers living under temporary thatched sheds."
The state government has decided to give an Ex-gratia relief of Rs 100,000 to the families of each of the victims, he added.
Shahjahanpur was described as the worst hit district with a toll of 17, followed by Budaun (9), Ghaziabad (7), Gonda (4), Barielly (3), Aligarh (3), Bijnore (3) two each in Fatehpur, Mahoba, Kanshi Ram Nagar, Hardoi, Barabanki and one each in Ballia, Mau, Pratapgarh, Ambedkar Nagar, Pratapgarh, Sitapur, Meerut and Hamirpur.
While the weather remained normal on Monday, Met officials do not rule out the possibility of yet another round of rain and thunder over the next 48 hours.
