Dust storms and heavy rains have swept through northern India, killing as many as 72 people and injuring over 100 others, in the northern states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
The city of Agra in Uttar Pradesh saw the highest fatalities with 36 people, including children, killed after the intense dust storm destroyed their homes on Wednesday, according to a Times of India report on Thursday.
Nine other fatalities in other parts of Uttar Pradesh were reported, while 38 others were injured.
Winds as strong as 126km per hour accompanied the dust storm, The Times reported.
The dust storm was followed by heavy rainfall of as much as 48.2mm within less than three hours on Wednesday evening.
“Dust storms are common occurrences in Rajasthan during the period before the monsoon rains,” according to Al Jazeera’s senior weather presenter, Richard Angwin.
“A large part of the Thar desert lies within the state. Here, dry, sandy soils are prone to wind erosion and transportation.”
