Seven persons died in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday as heavy rainfall and thunderstorms hit several districts. The deaths were reported from Lakhimpur Kheri, Hardoi, Sitapur, and Shahjahanpur, according to a statement by state Relief Commissioner Naveen Kumar. India Meteorological Department reported that 42 districts in the eastern part of the state received an average rainfall of 7.7 mm, while 33 districts in west Uttar Pradesh received 8.9 mm of rain.
Among the districts that received rain on Sunday were Jalaun, Bijnor, Baghpat, Hamirpur, Amethi, Saharanpur, Etawah, Hardoi, Mirzapur, Jhansi, Bahraich, Kannauj, and Chitrakoot. The IMD also mentioned Kanpur Nagar, Kasganj, Barabanki, Bareilly, Etah, Lucknow, Mainpuri, Lalitpur, Meerut, Shahjahanpur, and Kanpur Dehat as receiving rainfall. Farrukhabad, Kannauj, Muzaffarnagar, Jalaun, Jhansi, Kanpur Dehat, Shahjahanpur, Lalitpur, and Saharanpur districts were hit by hailstorms.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to assess crop damage and transfer compensation to affected farmers within 24 hours. The state has experienced strong winds and hailstorms since late Friday night, with over 7,020 farmers from 50 districts seeking compensation for damage until March 2. Relief efforts are ongoing to provide support to those affected by the adverse weather conditions in Uttar Pradesh.
