PM Modi announces ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh for families of thunderstorm victims

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to the families of people who lost their lives due to dust and thunder storms in several parts of North India on May 2. 

PM Modi has also approved a compensation of Rs 50,000 for those who have been injured. 124 people were killed while more than 300 injured in five states due to thunderstorm and lightning in the last two days.

Following the thunderstorms, power supply was cut off in many areas as squall uprooted trees and snapped electricity cables. At least 12,000 electric poles were uprooted and 2,500 transformers damaged in the affected states in the last two days.

The home ministry spokesperson said a fresh warning has been issued about possible thunderstorms accompanied with squall which may hit four states --- West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh -- on Friday. 

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanth is rushing back from Karnataka tonight, cutting short his election tour amid opposition flak for staying away from his own state even after a storm claimed 75 lives there.

The chief minister will arrive in worst-hit Agra tonight and will visit the affected areas on Saturday morning, state's Principal Secretary Information Avanish Awasthi said.