Ammon News - Almost 90 people were killed in a violent storm that pounded India's most populous state of Uttar Pradesh with rain and hail on Wednesday, officials said.

Casualties were reported in several districts, according to officials.

Storms are common in the northern state during the hot season from March to June, before monsoon rains bring respite.

Television images showed trees and billboards uprooted by gusts of wind in the storm, sending some crashing into cars amid clouds of dust and debris that blew down wooden furniture at roadside stalls.

"About 89 people were killed because of the storm, lightning, and rain-related incidents," said an official, who sought anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the media.

Some deaths were caused by falling trees and the walls of homes, a state relief official told Reuters, without giving immediate details of rescue efforts.

"Teams of administrative officials are continuously monitoring the affected areas,” the police wrote on X early on Thursday.

Meanwhile, rains hit parts of the capital, New Delhi, also affecting flight traffic at Indira Gandhi International Airport.

TRT