Ranit Kr. Singh , New Delhi – Heavy rain, severe thunderstorms, and lightning strikes have claimed 28 lives over the past 48 hours across Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. The severe weather caused widespread devastation, structural collapses, and massive logistical disruptions. With the India Meteorological Department issuing further adverse weather warnings for several northern states, regional governments have rapidly deployed disaster relief teams and announced financial compensation for the victims' families.

Uttar Pradesh emerged as the worst-hit region, recording 11 fatalities. In Hamirpur district, six workers died when a section of an under-construction bridge over the Betwa River collapsed during a fierce storm. Meanwhile, falling trees and structural damage claimed three lives in Kaushambi and two in Jalaun. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex gratia grant of ₹5 lakh for the kin of the deceased. Similar tragedies unfolded in West Bengal and Bihar, which reported seven deaths each primarily due to lightning, wall collapses, and electrocution, prompting their respective state governments to declare ₹4 lakh in immediate financial assistance per family.

In Madhya Pradesh, torrential rain wreaked havoc across more than 12 districts, leaving three people dead in Bhind district due to lightning strikes and roof collapses. While the downpour extended into parts of Rajasthan, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh—offering a brief respite from intense summer heatwaves—it simultaneously paralyzed daily life, damaged dozens of homes, and killed livestock. Emergency management authorities remain on high alert as northern India braces for continued volatile weather conditions.