The Uttar Pradesh government has announced financial aid of ₹4 lakh each for the families of those who lost their lives due to thunderstorms and lightning strikes that swept across the state on Thursday, resulting in 22 fatalities.
According to the Relief Commissioner Headquarters, in addition to the tragic deaths, 45 animals were killed and 15 houses were damaged due to the natural calamity. The state government has directed officials to immediately distribute the relief amount to affected families.
The district-wise toll includes three deaths each in Fatehpur and Azamgarh, two each in Firozabad, Kanpur Dehat, and Sitapur, and one each in Ghazipur, Gonda, Amethi, Sant Kabir Nagar, Siddharth Nagar, Ballia, Kannauj, Barabanki, Jaunpur, and Unnao.
The damage extended to residential properties as well, with 17 houses affected in Ghazipur, six in Chandauli, five in Ballia, and scattered damages reported from Ambedkarnagar, Balrampur, Gonda, Sultanpur, Amethi, Kannauj, Gorakhpur, Auraiya, Hardoi, Lucknow, and Mau.
Three animals perished in a fire incident linked to the storm in Fatehpur. The disaster also resulted in damage to multiple homes and loss of livestock across districts. Compensation rates include ₹37,500 for large milch animals, ₹32,000 for large non-milch animals, ₹20,000 for small non-milch animals, and ₹4,000 for small milch animals.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had earlier issued warnings about rainfall and thunderstorms, prompting the administration to take precautionary measures. The IMD has further predicted a partly cloudy sky with isolated rain or thundershowers for Lucknow from April 10 to 11.
The state government reiterated its commitment to quick relief and rehabilitation, assuring that all necessary steps are being taken to support the victims and their families.