As many as 50 people died and several others injured due to unseasonal rain, dust storm and lightning in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. It has caused damage to property, wheat crops, mango, and potatoes and vegetables in north, central parts of the country.

It is estimated that properties and crops worth several hundred crores have been damaged. Several cattle were also killed in rain-related incidents.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), unseasonal rain, thunderstorm, lightning and high speed wind were caused by active Western Disturbance (WD) over eastern Iran that is moving towards east-northeastwards across Afghanistan, Pakistan and northwest India.

According to IMD, Uttrakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Bihar, Gangetic West Bengal and Delhi-NCR on Wednesday witnessed squall (wind speed reaching 60-70 kilometres per hour) accompanied with hail and lightning.

The IMD has issued an amber-coloured warning for parts of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Bihar. An amber colour warning indicates that authorities have to remain alert for any weather-related exigency. The situation is expected to remain the same in the next two-three days in North-East and southern parts of the country.

As per IMD, Kerala, Telangana, Sikkim, Karnataka, Assam, Jharkhand, Meghalya, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh and Puducherry may witness rain, thunderstorm with gusty wind on Thursday, while West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura, and Odisha are likely to get rain and thunderstorm on Friday.

Several parts of north and central India have been witnessing thunderstorms, dust storms, lightning and heavy rain since Sunday.

According to reports, Rajasthan witnessed the maximum casualties with 21 people killed in overnight rain-related incidents followed by Madhya Pradesh where 15 were killed. 10 people were killed in Gujarat, three were killed in Maharashtra.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to twitter in the morning to express anguish over the loss of lives in the rain in Gujarat and announced relief. Soon afterwards Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath hit out at the Prime Minister, accusing him of being concerned only about his home State Gujarat.

The PMO in a tweet later said, “PM @narendramodi has expressed grief at loss of lives due to unseasonal rain and storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & various parts of the country”.

“An ex gratia of `2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who lost their lives due to unseasonal rain & storms in MP, Rajasthan, Manipur & various parts of the country has been approved from the PM’s National Relief Fund. `50,000 each for the injured has also been approved,” the PMO said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said the Government is closely monitoring the situation in rain-hit areas and is ready to provide all possible assistance to States affected by rain and thunderstorm. Officials of the Agriculture Ministry said the assessment of loss of crops is being carried out.

According to Rajasthan Relief Secretary Ashutosh AT Pednekar, 21 people died due to unseasonal rain. “4 deaths were reported in Jhalawar, Udaipur and Jaipur each, two each in Jalore and Bundi and one each in Baran, Rajsamand, Bhilwara, Alwar and Hanumangarh, Pedneka said. Compensation of Rs 4 lakh each has been announced to the families of victims. Rain claimed three lives each in Indore, Dhar and Shajapur, two in Ratlam and one each in Alirajpur, Rajgarh, Sehore and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh.

In Ahmedabad, Gujarat Government’s director of relief G B Manglpara, told PTI that at least 10 people have died in the rain and dust storm reported from various areas including districts in North Gujarat and Saurashtra region. Also, a portion of a tent erected for Prime Minister Modi’s rally in Himmatnagar town of North Gujarat was also damaged in the dust storm, an official earlier said.

Farmers of these States have suffered a lot due to unseasonal rain and thunderstorm and high wind speed that damaged their crops wheat, mango, potatoes and other vegetables. “Due to thunderstorm and gusty wind, the mango crop which at this time of year is about 80 gm to 150 gm in size, have been dropped. This will mean a loss of crop. Moreover, cloudy weather and unseasonal rain also increase the risk of the crop getting pest infected and diseased,” said a farmer.