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Agence France-Presse

At least 70 people have been killed and over 100 injured after a fresh wave of violent sandstorms and thunderstorms battered India, officials said on Monday. The deaths take the toll from similar storms this month to more than 200.
Winds of over 100km/h (62mph) struck parts of north, east and southern India late on Sunday, uprooting trees, electricity pylons and damaging houses, officials from federal and state disaster management agencies said.

Forty people were killed by hail and thunderstorms that brought down walls, trees and power pylons in Uttar Pradesh state, T. P. Gupta of the state disaster management department said.
100 killed as powerful dust and rainstorms ravage India
In the town of Bareilly, the minaret of a mosque fell on a group of people taking shelter in the courtyard, killing five of them. Three more were injured in the incident.
Another 80 were injured by the winds that flattened nearly 40 houses across India’s most populous state.

Another 14 people were killed on Sunday by thunderstorms in West Bengal and 12 by lightning bolts in Andhra Pradesh.
The southern state had also been hit by more than 40,000 lightning bolts on May 1, killing 14 people in a matter of hours.

The latest storms also killed two people each in Bihar and the capital New Delhi where winds reached more than 100km/h, national disaster management authorities said.
Indira Gandhi International Airport was closed for more than two hours because of the winds, with 70 flights diverted. Train services were also suspended.
“Saddened by the loss of lives due to storms,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a tweet. “Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured.”

Saddened by the loss of lives due to storms in some parts of the country. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured. Asked officials to provide all possible assistance to those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 13, 2018

The deaths came just 10 days after a sandstorm left more than 84 dead, most of them in Agra – home of the Taj Mahal.
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India has been gripped by a freak weather system since the beginning of May, with many parts of the country experiencing extreme conditions.

Weather forecasters warned of fierce storms in parts of the north and east for the next two days.
Similar storms hit the region every year but this year has been the deadliest. On Thursday a thunderstorm left at least 22 people dead across the country.
The May 2 dust storm killed at least 134 people and caused widespread destruction in the western state of Rajasthan and in northern Punjab and Uttarakhand states.
Additional reporting by Associated Press


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India

At least 70 killed as powerful dust storm and heavy rain slam India

Children run for cover during a powerful dust storm in New Delhi, India on May 13, 2018. Photo: Reuters

People dive scooters during a dust storm in Allahabad on May 13, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / SANJAY KANOJIA

A commuter walks past an uprooted tree from Sunday's sudden storm in New Delhi, India, Monday, May 14, 2018. Powerful wind and rain storms have swept across northern India, with authorities saying many people have been killed. Meteorological officials say winds reached up to 109 kilometers per hour (68 miles per hour) Sunday, blowing down trees and power lines and demolishing homes. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

People stand on the roof of a house during a dust storm in New Delhi, India May 13, 2018. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

An Indian man stands on the balcony of his apartment during a suddens storm accompanied by rain in New Delhi, India, Sunday, May 13, 2018. The monsoon season is nearly six weeks away in India. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

At least 100 killed as powerful dust and rainstorms ravage India

An auto rickshaw on a road during a dust storm in Mathura. Photo: AFP

A damaged electric pole is pictured in a market after strong winds and dust storm in Alwar, in the western state of Rajasthan, India May 3, 2018. REUTERS/Stringer

This photo taken on May 2, 2018 shows a fallen tree hit by high winds during a major storm in Agra in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state. Dust storms that tore across northern India killed at least 77 people and left 143 injured as trees and walls were brought down by powerful winds, officials said May 3. / AFP PHOTO / -

This photo taken on May 2, 2018 shows an Indian traffic policeman covering his face as he stands on duty during a dust storm in New Delhi. Dust storms that tore across northern India killed at least 77 people and left 143 injured as trees and walls were brought down by powerful winds, officials said May 3. / AFP PHOTO / CHANDAN KHANNA

Indian residents look at a wall damaged by high winds during a major dust storm in Agra district in northern India's Uttar Pradesh state on May 3, 2018. Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said May 3. / AFP PHOTO / -

This photo taken on May 2, 2018 shows people walking under heavy rainfall in the northern hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh state. 77 people were killed, 143 injured in powerful storms across northern India overnight on May 2-3, officials said. / AFP PHOTO / -

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The powerful storm destroyed dozens of homes and blew down trees and power lines in several states


Natural disasters

At least 70 killed as powerful dust storm and heavy rain slam India

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The powerful storm destroyed dozens of homes and blew down trees and power lines in several states

The powerful storm destroyed dozens of homes and blew down trees and power lines in several states