At least 74 people have died and
scores more were injured in fierce dust storms that hit the northern
Indian states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
The storms on Wednesday disrupted electricity, uprooted trees, destroyed houses and killed livestock.
Many of the dead were sleeping when their houses collapsed after being struck by intense bursts of lightning.
Dust storms are common in this part of India during summer but loss of life on this scale is unusual.
The
storms largely affected three districts in Rajasthan - Alwar, Bharatpur
and Dholpur - where at least 29 people were killed. Officials say Alwar
is worst affected. Schools in the district are closed.
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Vasundhara Raje, said officials were heading to affected areas to start relief work.
The state government has also announced that families of the dead
will receive 400,000 rupees (about $6,000; £4,400) as compensation.Forty-five
people died in Uttar Pradesh, 36 of them in Agra district which is home
to the Taj Mahal monument. Officials believe the death toll could
increase.falling trees and walls killed many people in the state.
The storm also hit the capital Delhi, more than 100km (62 miles) away, along with heavy rains late on Wednesday evening.
(BBC)
The Gazette Notification contains the regulations of banning the selling of Cigarettes within 100 meter area around Schools will be issued soon according to the Minister Of Health,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr.Rajitha Senaratne.
