Heavy rains lash U.P., at least 7 dead; IMD issues red alert for western districts
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday issued a ‘red alert’ for parts of western Uttar Pradesh, forecasting heavy to extremely heavy rainfall over the next 24 hours as intensified monsoon activity claimed at least seven lives and caused disruptions across the State.
The deaths were reported from Sant Kabir Nagar, Kushinagar, Bulandshahr, Shamli and Ghaziabad in separate rain-related incidents, officials said.
In Sant Kabir Nagar, two women died after being struck by lightning in separate villages. Sub-Divisional Magistrate Arun Kumar said Chandni (17) of Katya village and Varsana (60) of Pratapur village died while working in fields in Mehdawal Tehsil. He said reports had been sought and government assistance would be provided to their families.
In Kushinagar, Rahul Kumar (14) died after being struck by lightning while standing on a field bund as his mother handed him vegetables harvested from their farm in Thadhibhar village under Vishanpura police station limits. The family declined a post-mortem examination, police said.
– PTI
