India Northern States Storms

Overview

On May 13, 2026, powerful pre-monsoon thunderstorms brought devastating dust storms, lightning strikes, and heavy rainfall to Uttar Pradesh, India's most populous state. The storm system struck across dozens of districts simultaneously, with the Hindu pilgrimage city of Prayagraj reporting the highest toll of 21 deaths, followed by Bhadohi with 18 fatalities, Mirzapur with 15, Fatehpur with 10, Unnao and Badaun with six each, Pratapgarh and Bareilly with four each, and Sitapur, Raebareli, and Chandauli with two each. The Relief Commissioner's Office confirmed at least 111 dead and more than 50 injured, with 114 livestock killed and at least 87 homes damaged across the state. Many fatalities resulted from lightning strikes, wall collapses, and falling trees during the storms. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered immediate relief operations and directed the prompt release of financial compensation to affected families. Police and National Disaster Response Force teams deployed chainsaws and cranes to clear fallen trees from roads and railway tracks across multiple districts. The same storm system caused additional deaths in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, bringing the broader national toll to at least 122 fatalities. India's Meteorological Department linked the severity of the event to rising pre-monsoon temperatures and increasingly erratic weather patterns consistent with regional climate trends.