At least 56 people were killed after a strong storm and heavy rain uprooted trees and damaged houses across several districts of Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Thursday (May 14, 2026).

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took cognisance of the loss of lives and damage caused by unseasonal rain, thunderstorms and lightning on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) and directed officials to ensure relief reaches the affected families within 24 hours.

According to reports received from various districts, 17 deaths were reported in Prayagraj, 16 in Bhadohi, nine in Fatehpur, five in Badaun, four in Pratapgarh, two each in Chandauli and Kushinagar, and one in Sonbhadra district.

According to a list issued by the Prayagraj district administration, seven deaths were reported in the Handia area, four from Phulpur, three from Soraon, two from Meja and one from Sadar due to the storm and rain. In Bhadohi, sources in the district administration said at least 16 people died in storm-related incidents.

Additional District Magistrate Kunwar Virendra Kumar Maurya said trees and electric poles were uprooted in several areas while many houses were damaged in the storm.

Fatehpur Additional District Magistrate Avinash Tripathi said nine people were killed and 16 injured in storm-related incidents in the district. "Eight people, including five women, died in Khaga tehsil, while a woman died after a wall of a house collapsed in Sadar tehsil," he said.

In Pratapgarh, four people died in separate incidents of wall and cemented shed collapses and lightning strikes amid strong winds and rain, the officials said.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Deepak Bhukar said Bhim Yadav (25) died after being trapped under debris when a cemented shed collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village under the Lalganj Kotwali area.

He said Bhushan Pandey (56) died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami village under the Baghrai police station area.

Mr. Bhukar said Shanti Devi (46) of Narangpur village and Lal Bahadur (44) of Chhatrapur Shivala Raghna village also died in storm-related incidents. In Kanpur Dehat district, two persons died in rain-related incidents, the officials said.

Police sources said a 19-year-old woman, Ruchi, died after being struck by lightning in Bhauthari village under the Rasulabad area while standing under a neem tree with goats during heavy rain. Several goats also died in the incident.

A 60-year-old man standing nearby was also injured, they added.

Additional District Magistrate (Finance and Revenue) Dushyant Kumar said reports regarding human and livestock losses had been sought from local officials and financial assistance would be provided as per government rules.

CM Adityanath directed the district magistrates and officials of various departments to visit the affected areas and provide all possible assistance to the victims and their families.

He also instructed officials to remain on alert and ordered the revenue and agriculture departments, along with insurance companies, to conduct a survey of the damage and submit a report to the government.

Akhilesh urges U.P. govt. to step up relief work

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav urged the Uttar Pradesh government to undertake relief and rescue operations on a “war footing” after severe storms and rain-related incidents left several dead across the State.

In a post on X, Mr. Yadav said it was “extremely saddening” that “54 people had died” in Bhadohi, Fatehpur, Sonbhadra, Badaun and several other places due to the severe storm and strong winds, while lakhs of people were badly affected following the collapse of houses, trees and walls.

The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister urged the government to immediately arrange free and proper treatment for the injured, ensure the supply of food and drinking water, and make temporary accommodation arrangements for those affected.

He also demanded dignified last rites for the deceased and called for an early assessment of damage to life, property, crops and vehicles so that insurance claims and compensation could be ensured.

Mr. Yadav also appealed to Samajwadi Party workers in unaffected areas to help people impacted by the disaster in every possible manner.