World

Rainstorm kills at least 91, injures over 160 in India

03 of May 2018

Map locates Agra, India, where deadly rainstorm hit; 1c x 2 inches; 46.5 mm x 50 mm;,Map locates Agra, India, where deadly rainstorm hit; 1c x 2 inches; 46.5 mm x 50 mm;

A powerful dust storm and rain have swept parts of north and western India, causing house collapses, toppling trees and leaving at least 91 people dead. Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar says the devastation is particularly severe in Agra, the northern Indian city where the white marble monument of Taj Mahal is located. He says 43 people have died there as the wind speed touched 130 kilometers (80 miles) per hour. Other deaths occurred in northern Uttar Pradesh and western Rajasthan states.

LUCKNOW, India (AP) — A powerful dust storm and rain swept parts of north and western India overnight, causing house collapses, toppling trees and leaving at least 91 people dead and more than 160 injured, officials said Thursday.

The devastation was particularly severe on Wednesday night in Agra, the northern Indian city where the white marble Taj Mahal is located. Forty-three people died there as the wind speed touched 130 kilometers (80 miles) per hour, said Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar of Uttar Pradesh state.

There was no damage to the monument.

At least 64 people died and another 67 were injured in northern Uttar Pradesh state, Kumar said.

In the western state of Rajasthan, the Press Trust of India news agency said that 27 others died and another 100 were injured. Most deaths were caused by house collapses and lightning.

The rainstorm caught people by surprise as the monsoon season is still more than six weeks away.

Uprooted trees flattened mud huts of the poor, Kumar said. Electricity supply and telephone lines were snapped in parts of Uttar Pradesh state, Kumar said.