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Lucknow : At least 60 people were feared killed in 13 districts of Uttar Pradesh, northern India, after strong winds lashed the state and officials on Thursday said the toll could go up further.
With details of the storm-damage still being collected, the maximum deaths were reported from Kannauj district where 14 people died of fire, wall collapse and tree uprooting.
"The maximum casualties were due to fire incidents that occurred as the victims were cooking when the storm struck. In most cases, the victims were residing in huts that caught fire," Kannauj District Magistrate K.B.S. Gautam said.
The storm claimed ten lives in Firozabad, five in Jalaun, eight in Etawah, six in Unnao and five each in Mathura and Hathras.
Meteorological department director K.P. Kulshrestha said the stormy conditions were typical of the pre-monsoon period.
"The change in weather was owing to the upper air cyclonic circulation formed in different parts of the north-west regions of the country," he said.
Scientists said the stormy weather could affect crops of mango, muskmelon and watermelon.
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