Lightning kills 70 in a night across MP, UP, Rajasthan

A lightning strikes in a part of Jaipur, Rajasthan, on Sunday. Pic/PTI

Lightning strikes killed 70 people across three states within hours on Sunday evening, officials said on Monday.

Six people, including two minors, were killed and 11 others injured in separate incidents of lightning in parts of Madhya Pradesh, officials said.

Twenty-three people, including 12 in Jaipur, were killed and 27 injured in Rajasthan. The deceased in Jaipur were mostly youngsters and were killed when lightning struck the iconic watch tower near Amber Fort, officials said. Some of them were taking selfies on the watch tower, while the others were on the hill nearby. Officials said those on the tower fell on the ground when the lightning struck late on Sunday evening.

Anand Kumar, principal secretary, Disaster Management and Relief Department, said the state government has released Rs 1.65 crore to the district collectors concerned for ex-gratia assistance to the dependents of the deceased and the treatment of the injured. The department said livestock also died and the figure is likely to rise.

Uttar Pradesh Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad on Monday said that 41 people died and 30 others have been injured due to lightning strikes across 16 districts on Sunday night. "An ex-gratia of R4 lakh each will be provided to kin of the deceased. The injured will get medical treatment. Moreover, 250 animals were also killed and 20 hurt."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed pain at the loss of lives and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the wounded.

Cars, buildings swept away in HP flash floods

Vehicles trapped in flood water, at Mcleodganj, on Monday. Pic/PTI

Flash flood triggered by heavy rains swept away buildings and cars at tourist spots, and bad weather also led to the closure of the airport. The district administration has instructed tourists to postpone their visit to Dharamsala. A drain near Bhagsu Nag in upper Dharamsala adjoining Mecleodganj changed its course owing to heavy rains, sweeping away four cars and several bikes, video clips showed. A government school building at Bhagsunag was also damaged and adjacent hotels there were inundated, it showed. Owing to flash flood at Manjhi Khad area adjoining Dharamsala, two buildings were swept away while many others were damaged, as per the video clips.

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