More than 100 perish in powerful dust storms in India
Tourists and residents in parts of India are being warned that powerful dust storms that have so far killed more than 100 could return in a few days.
Fierce winds and lightning created by a powerful dust storm enveloped parts of northwestern India killing at least 35 people in Rajasthan and at least 43 in Agra, home to the Taj Mahal.
It is estimated at least 110 have lost their lives so far.
"Many houses collapsed due to high intensity winds, or the trees fell onto the houses," Sanjay Kumar, the Uttar Pradesh’s state relief commissioner for the National Disaster Management Authority.
India’s National Disaster Management Authority issued an alert earlier this week but the intensity of the storms took them by surprise.
The storm whipped up winds of more than 130 kilometres an hour downing countless trees and electricity cables, and snarling traffic.
"I’ve been in office for 20 years, and this is the worst I’ve seen," Hemant Gera, secretary for disaster management and relief in Rajasthan, told the BBC.
"We had a high intensity dust storm on 11 April — 19 people died then — but this time it struck during the night, so many people were sleeping and couldn’t get out of their houses when mud walls collapsed."
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is warning of further storms.
"There is a high probability that winds will intensify in the next 48 hours in Rajasthan, which may lead to another dust storm. It will affect areas of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan border, especially Karauli and Dholpur," said IMD scientist Himanshu Sharma.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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