Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed officials to ensure compensation to victims affected by loss of lives, deaths of cattle and house collapse due to inclement weather within 24 hours. He warned officials against any laxity in this regard and stressed that callousness would invite stringent action.

The financial assistance was to be provided as per rules and guidelines of State Disaster Relief Fund. Dependants of victims killed in natural calamity will be given Rs 4 lakh financial assistance immediately.

Yogi also directed District Magistrates to immediately assess the losses to crops in respective districts and assess individual losses of farmers within 48 hours. He also said that farmers losing more than 33 per cent of sown crop be given financial assistance. Demand of money allocation for this have to be sent to the state government as soon as possible.

A government spokesman said on Saturday that most UP districts had been affected by untimely rains and hailstorm over the past few days. As per forecast, there is a likelihood of recurrence of such weather in the days to come. Keeping this in mind, local officials have been directed by the Chief Minister to be vigilant and provide timely relief.

The spokesman further said that District Magistrates had also been instructed to ensure that in case funds were not available in any district, the officer concerned should draw money under Treasury Rule 27 and provide relief to the affected. A proposal for adjustment of this amount should be sent to the state government.

In recent duststorm, hail, rains and lightning, 26 persons were killed, five injured and nine cattle heads perished.