Death toll in thunderstorm, rain related incident rises to 18 in N. India

NEW DELHI –The death toll from thunderstorm and rain-related incidents in northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh has risen to 18, officials said Friday. 

"Until last evening, the death toll was 16, but with two more casualties reported from Etawah and Agra, the toll rose to 18," a local government official said. The storm hit the state on Wednesday. 

According to India's state-run broadcaster - All India Radio, the state's deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma visited the affected districts of Agra, Firozabad, Mathura and Aligarh to take stock of the situation and distributed financial assistance to the victims. 

India's Meteorological department had issued a warning of thunderstorm accompanied with squall and hail in large parts of northern and eastern states. 

Officials said the thunderstorm also perished 37 cattle and uprooted trees and electricity transmission poles in the districts. Last week, at least 124 people were killed and more than 300 others injured in five states due to dust storms, thunderstorms and lightning.Enditem 
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