15 May, 2018 02:32

Lightning strikes, freak storms kill & injure 200+ across India (VIDEOS, PHOTOS)

Over 80 people have been killed in India by lightning strikes and thunderstorms that swept across five states. With hundreds of others injured, the National Weather Service is predicting more heavy rain and gusty winds.

All hell broke loose in India on Sunday, when massive dust and thunderstorms began to spread across five states in India, reining havoc on the road, rail and air services across the northern parts of the country. On Monday, the apocalyptic weather continued to batter the country, uprooting trees and power lines and killing at least two after wind speed reached 107 kilometers an hour in Delhi.

At least 80 people lost their lives by Monday afternoon, the Home Ministry said, noting that 51 deaths were registered in the Uttar Pradesh state alone. Another 14 people were killed in West Bengal, 12 in Andhra Pradesh, and one in Uttarakhand. In addition to the casualties, at least 136 people were injured in lightning strikes and thunderstorms, authorities said.

While gusty winds are forecast to subside going forward, India's Meteorological Department continues to maintain a weather warning in place until Tuesday night.

“Thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail (wind speed reaching 50-70 km/h) very likely” in isolated places across the country, the agency said. Other parts of the country are expected to witness thunderstorm accompanied by gusty winds.