More than 30 killed as rain, dust storm batter Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh

Unseasonal rain and storm wreaked havoc in parts of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, killing more than 30 people.

As many as sixteen people died across Madhya Pradesh in the last two days due to rain.

"The tragic incidents of loss of lives occurred in Indore, Dhar other places in Madhya Pradesh. My condolences to the bereaved families. I and my government stand with the aggrieved family in this hour of grief," Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath said in a tweet posted in Hindi.

आकाशीय बिजली गिरने से इंदौर, धार जिले में व प्रदेश के अन्य स्थानो पर जनहानि की बेहद दुखदायी घटनाएँ सामने आयी।
पीड़ित परिवारो के प्रति मेरी शोक संवेदनाएँ।
मैं और मेरी सरकार दुख की इस घड़ी में पीड़ित परिवार के साथ खड़े है। — Office Of Kamal Nath (@OfficeOfKNath) April 16, 2019

In Rajasthan, dust storm and rains left 10 persons dead. While four people died in Jhalawar and Jaipur, one person each died in Baran and Udaipur, Relief Secretary Ashutosh A T Pednekar said.

There are reports of 3-4 more deaths and we are confirming whether they are related to rains, he added.

Gusty winds accompanied with rains affected normal life in Rajasthan on Tuesday. Several trees and electric poles were uprooted in different parts due to high velocity winds of nearly 60 kmph.

Dabok in Udaipur recorded maximum of 34.7 mm rains followed by Kota, Alwar, Bhilwara, Jaipur and Sriganganagar where 27.8, 21.9, 21, 13.8 and 13 mm rains occurred. Few other places also recorded below 13 mm rains till Wednesday morning.

Rain and dust storm devastated many areas in Gujarat too with North Gujarat and Saurashtra regions most affected on Tuesday.

"According to preliminary reports coming from different parts of the state, at least 10 people have lost their lives," G B Manglpara, the state government's director (Relief), said.

"Most of the deaths were reported in North Gujarat due to lightning strike and falling of trees," he said.

A portion of a tent erected for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally in Himmatnagar town of North Gujarat was also damaged in the dust storm. On Wednesday morning, Modi expressed anguish over the loss of lives and said the authorities are monitoring the situation very closely and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.

In another tweet, the prime minister's office said, Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to unseasonal rain and storm in various parts of Gujarat.

Anguished by the loss of lives due to unseasonal rains and storms in various parts of Gujarat. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.

Authorities are monitoring the situation very closely. All possible assistance is being given to those affected. — Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 17, 2019

The weather turned rough due to western disturbance and winds with moisture from Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal.