At least 90 people were killed as a severe dust storm followed by thunder showers hit parts of north India overnight.

As per the report submitted to Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the total number of people who died is 94.

Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan were among the worst affected places as the dust storm left a deadly trail of destruction in its wake.

Houses collapsed and trees and electric poles were uprooted in the storm that also led to power outages.

In Uttar Pradesh, the high-intensity dust storm left 64 people dead and 47 injured, Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told news agency PTI in Lucknow.

Agra district was the worst hit in Uttar Pradesh, accounting for 43 deaths and injuries to 35 others.

Besides Agra, the other affected districts were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao.

The dust storm also wreaked havoc in Rajasthan where at least 32 people were killed.

The districts of Dholpur, Alwar and Bharatpur were among those affected.

Dust storm approaches Bikaner city in Rajasthan. (Photo: PTI)

A detailed report of the disaster is awaited even as relief and rescue teams have been pressed into service to clear debris and restore power supply, Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief, Hemant Kumar Gera told PTI in Jaipur.

Gera said contigency funds have been released to the respective district administration. He said Rs 4 lakh will be given to family members of deceased, Rs 2 lakh to persons sustaining 60 per cent injuries and Rs 60,000 to people with 40-50 per cent injuries.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was saddened by the loss of lives and that he has asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected.

Saddened by the loss of lives due to dust storms in various parts of India. Condolences to the bereaved families. May the injured recover soon.



Have asked officials to coordinate with the respective state governments and work towards assisting those who have been affected: PM PMO India (@PMOIndia) May 3, 2018

Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje expressed grief over the calamity and said authorities concerned in the districts have been directed to ensure all possible help to victims.

"Condolence for families who lost their loved ones," she said on Twitter.

Taking note of the havoc caused by the dust storm in UP, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officers concerned to personally monitor relief operations and provide all necessary medical facilities to the affected.

He also said that no laxity will be tolerated in providing succour to the needy.

(With inputs from PTI)

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