At least 89 people have been killed after a severe storm and heavy rain lashed several districts of Uttar Pradesh, uprooting trees and power poles and damaging houses, the relief commissioner’s office said.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognizance of the loss of life and damage caused by unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) and directed officials to ensure that relief reaches the affected families within 24 hours.
In a post on X on Thursday (May 14, 2026), the Office of the Relief Commissioner said: “Due to the severe weather on May 13, including storms, rain, hail and lightning, reports of 89 deaths, 53 people injured, 114 livestock lost and 87 houses damaged were received by the Chi Ministry and taken note of.”
He said the chief minister has directed all divisional commissioners and district magistrates to verify the incidents “with full sensitivity” and ensure that financial assistance is distributed to the affected families within 24 hours, while establishing direct communication with them and providing other necessary assistance.
The office also said it is continuously monitoring the situation through direct coordination with district officials and providing the necessary funds to the districts.
According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in Handia area, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja and one in Sadar due to storm and rain. In Bhadohi, district administration sources said at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents.
Kunwar Additional District Magistrate Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged by the storm.
Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents in the district. “Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while one woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil,” he said.
In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of walls and a cement shed collapsing and lightning strikes amid strong winds and rain, officials said.
Superintendent of Police Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after he was trapped under the debris of a concrete shed that collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village of Lalganj Kotwali area. He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed at Sari Swami village under Baghrai police station area.
Mr. Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents. Two people died in rain-related incidents in Kanpur Dehat district, officials said.
Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after she was struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under Rasulabad area during heavy rain while she was standing under a neem tree with goats. Several goats also died in the incident. A 60-year-old man standing nearby was injured, they added.
Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding loss of life and livestock have been sought from local officials and financial assistance will be provided as per government rules.
In Deoria, Komal Yadav (62), a resident of Bhimpur Gaura village, died after being struck by lightning, district administration sources said. Two others were injured in the incident.
In another incident, Ramnath Prasad (65), a resident of Neruari village, died after being struck by lightning.
In Sonbhadra district, Madhav Singh (38) died after he was trapped under a tree uprooted during rain and storm.
CM Adityanath directed district magistrates and officials of various departments to visit the affected areas and provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families. He also directed officials to remain alert and directed the Department of Revenue and Agriculture along with insurance companies to survey the damage and submit a report to the government.
Akhilesh urges UP Govt. to intensify relief work
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged the Uttar Pradesh government to undertake rescue operations on a “war footing” after severe storms and rain-related incidents claimed several lives across the state.
In a post on X, Mr Yadav said it was “extremely sad” that “54 people died” in Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra, Badaun and several other places due to severe storm and strong winds, while thousands of people were badly affected after houses, trees and walls collapsed.
The former chief minister of Uttar Pradesh urged the government to immediately provide free and proper treatment to the injured, ensure supply of food and drinking water and provide temporary accommodation for the affected.
He also demanded dignified last rites for the deceased and called for timely assessment of damage to lives, property, crops and vehicles to ensure insurance coverage and compensation.
Mr. Yadav also appealed to the Samajwadi Party workers in non-affected areas to help the disaster-hit people in all possible ways.
Published – 14 May 2026 10:55 IST
