Dust storms kill more than 100 people in India

Strong dust storms hit the northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday, leaving at least 109 people and countless livestock dead.

The storms uprooted trees and destroyed homes, and many of the people who died were asleep when their houses collapsed, BBC News reports. In Uttar Pradesh, 73 people were killed, more than half in Agra district, home to the Taj Mahal. "I haven't seen such a devastating storm in at least 25 years," Shivam Lohia, a hotel owner in Rajasthan, told AFP. "Everyone was scared and running for cover as trees and homes were getting blown away. It was a nightmare."

Dust storms are common in India during this time of year, but usually the storms do not result in so many casualties. In the southern state of Andhra Pradesh, more than 41,000 lightning strikes were counted on Wednesday, and more storms are likely throughout the country through the end of the week.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up