PM Modi said authorities are monitoring the situation closely
Thirty-five people died and several people were injured due to unseasonal rain, dust storm and lightning in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and other parts of the country on Tuesday.
According to the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), ten people were killed in Gujarat. One person died in Ahmedabad, one in Rajkot, two in Banaskantha, one in Morbi, one in Sabarkantha, three in Mehsana and one in Patan.
"Most of the deaths were reported in North Gujarat due to lightning strike and falling of trees," G B Manglpara, Gujarat government's director (Relief) said.
Also, a portion of a tent erected for PM Modi's rally in Himmatnagar town of North Gujarat was also damaged in the dust storm.
Ten people died due to lightning and storm in Jhalawad and Baran districts of Rajasthan. Fifteen people were killed in Madhya Pradesh. Three lives each were lost in Indore, Dhar and Shajapur, two in Ratlam and one each in Alirajpur, Rajgarh, Sehore and Chhindwara districts.
Condoling the deaths, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced compensation for those affected.
PM Modi tweeted, "Authorities are monitoring the situation very closely. All possible assistance is being given to those affected."
In another tweet, the Prime Minister's Office said, PM Modi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to unseasonal rain and storm in various parts of Gujarat. He has also approved Rs 50,000 each for those injured.
A massive dust storm had hit different parts of Gujarat, just a day before PM Modi's rally in Himmatnagar, Surendranagar and Anand today. PM Modi will be holding rallies in Amreli tomorrow and in Patan on April 21.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh tweeted and expressed deep pain and anguish by the loss of precious lives due to the thunderstorms.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath also tweeted grief for the loss of lives.