At least 33 people were killed and several others injured on Wednesday after heavy rains and a powerful thunderstorm caused widespread destruction across multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh, officials said. The worst-affected districts included Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Budaun, Chandauli and Sonbhadra, where incidents of wall collapses, uprooted trees and damaged houses were reported following strong winds and lightning strikes.

According to officials, 16 deaths were reported in Bhadohi, nine in Fatehpur, five in Budaun, two in Chandauli and one in Sonbhadra district. Rescue and restoration operations continued through the day as authorities worked to clear debris and restore electricity and communication networks disrupted by the storm. In several areas, fallen trees and damaged power poles hampered relief efforts and affected mobile connectivity.

Yogi Adityanath directed officials to immediately provide compensation to families affected by the unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning strikes. He instructed district administrations to complete relief work within 24 hours and warned that negligence in rescue and rehabilitation operations would not be tolerated. The chief minister also ordered officials from the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance agencies, to assess crop and property damage and submit detailed reports.

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In Bhadohi, Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said authorities received reports of extensive infrastructure damage, including uprooted trees, collapsed structures and damaged electricity poles. Police said 16 people died in separate storm-related incidents in the district, while six others were injured, including two who remained in critical condition. Officials, police personnel and emergency teams were deployed across all three tehsils to monitor the situation and assist affected residents.

Fatehpur and Budaun witnessed multiple fatal incidents linked to collapsing walls and falling trees. In Budaun’s Siddhpur Kaitholi village, two minor girls died after a mud wall collapsed on a hut where they had taken shelter during the storm. Several others sustained serious injuries in separate incidents after trees fell on homes, vehicles and temporary shelters. Police officials said rescue teams rushed victims to nearby hospitals while damaged areas were cleared to restore normal movement.

The severe weather has once again highlighted the vulnerability of several districts in Uttar Pradesh to sudden storms and lightning-related disasters during seasonal transitions. Authorities have asked residents to remain alert amid forecasts of continued unstable weather conditions. Relief teams remain deployed in affected areas as the state government continues damage assessment and compensation procedures for families who suffered losses during the storm.

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