Indian storms claim more than 100
2011-05-22 14:13
New Delhi - The death toll from storms in northern India climbed to 101, after 19 people died on Sunday, officials said.
Storms that hit northern Uttar Pradesh and eastern Bihar states since Wednesday have destroyed hundreds of houses and uprooted utility poles, disrupting power and communication links.
In Uttar Pradesh, the death toll in Saturday's storms across towns and villages had risen to 45 with the information of 19 more deaths reaching the state's disaster management division in regional capital Lucknow.
"Most of the deaths were caused by house collapses and falling trees in the Shahjahanpur, Lakhimpur Kheri and Badaun districts," a disaster management official said over telephone.
"Eighty-five people were injured and some of them are still being treated in state-run hospitals," he said.
Fierce winds packing speeds up to 100 kilometres per hour also damaged crops, including mango plantations.
The storm disrupted power and uprooted trees and billboards in the famous Taj Mahal city of Agra.
The storms are typical of the pre-monsoon period and were caused by cyclonic pressure formed over the affected regions. India's monsoon season usually lasts from June to October.
- SAPA
