BHOPAL, 11 March 2006 — At least 39 people were killed in hailstorms and unseasonal rains across central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, sources said yesterday.
The rains and hailstorms have also destroyed a large number of livestock and caused massive damage to the crops.
‘Three members of a family died in Ujjain district late Thursday night after their house collapsed due to heavy rains. Lightning claimed six lives in Khandwa district the same night,’ said a state administration official yesterday. “Three more people died in Indore district yesterday after being struck by lightning. Another four people died in Sagar district,” the official said.
“We have received reports of 114 people being injured due to the rains. Nearly 200 cows and buffaloes have perished due to the bad weather,” he added. The official said crops in 34 of the 48 districts have been affected.
“Crops over an area of 35,000 hectares have been damaged by the untimely rains. We have started the process of paying compensation to the farmers,’ he said.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had confirmed 23 deaths in the state assembly Thursday.
The weathermen have predicted more rainfall in the state in the next two days.
