At least 95 people have been killed and scores more injured in fierce dust storms that hit the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The storms on Wednesday disrupted electricity, uprooted trees, destroyed houses and killed livestock.
Many of the dead were sleeping when their houses collapsed after being struck by intense bursts of lightning.
Dust storms are common in this part of India during summer but loss of life on this scale is unusual.
Sixty-four people died in Uttar Pradesh, 43 of them in Agra district which is home to the Taj Mahal monument. Officials say the death toll could increase.
Falling trees and walls killed many people in the state.
Local journalist Laxmikant Pachouri told the BBC that 21 people had died in the village of Kheragarh, about 50km (30 miles) south-west of Agra.
ome of the houses there were made of mud, others from bricks and mortar.
“People are in shock and can’t believe that such destruction happened in their village. I met a family which lost four children last night – it was so disturbing. The family can’t believe it. They told me that their children were playing in the house when a wall collapsed on them,” Pachouri said.
“Their parents are so distraught and cannot stop crying.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the loss of life.
Source: BBC
