According to the office of the state’s relief commissioner, at least 104 people lost their lives across nearly a dozen districts, while 59 others were injured. Authorities also reported damage to 87 homes and the death of 114 livestock.
The worst-affected areas included regions surrounding the Hindu pilgrimage city of Prayagraj.
Relief Commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod told Reuters that rescue and assessment operations were continuing in multiple districts following the destructive weather.
Residents described scenes of chaos as strong winds, rain and hail battered towns and villages.
“The entire area where we live turned black for around half an hour,” said Ashok Rai, a resident of the industrial town of Obra in Sonbhadra district.
“Strong winds lifted hoardings and signboards and thick coal dust from the ground and hurled them around,” he added.
Television footage showed uprooted trees, damaged vehicles and collapsed roadside structures in the aftermath of the storm. Falling trees and collapsing walls were reported as major causes of fatalities.
One widely circulated video showed strong winds lifting a man into the air after he clung to a tin structure during the storm. Media reports said he survived but sustained injuries in the district of Bareilly.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered officials to provide immediate assistance to affected families and distribute relief funds within 24 hours.
The state government said emergency teams were working in affected areas to restore normalcy and assist survivors.
Storms and severe weather are common across northern India during the pre-monsoon season from March to June, before the arrival of annual monsoon rains.
