Heavy dust storms that swept across several parts of western and northern India on Wednesday have killed at least 97 people and injured more than a hundred and a half in Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, while leaving a trail of destruction, uprooting trees and disrupting power supply in Punjab and Haryana.
READ MORE: 'Bad Weather' — Storm Leaves 73,000 Without Electricity in Central Russia
According to the Hindustan Times newspaper, the storm, which hit the northern states on Wednesday evening, killed 64 people in Uttar Pradesh, 31 others in neighboring Rajasthan, and at least two in Uttarakhand.
The authorities of the two states announced compensations of up to 400,000 Indian rupees ($6,000) to the families of those deceased and 50,000 Indian rupees ($750) to those who were injured, the newspaper said.
"We can confirm at least 46 deaths, 41 injuries from around 40 of the state's 75 districts," T.P. Gupta of the Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner's office told AFP.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and pledged to ask the officials to assist those who had been affected.
According to weather forecasts, rains and thunderstorms will continue in northern India for at least two days.