At least 95 people have been killed as a massive storm swept across parts of north India, including Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan and Uttarakhand last night, leaving a trail of destruction.

Although the storm passed within an hour, the destruction it caused is still visible in several districts of affected states, with collapsed houses, uprooted trees and electricity poles.

Uttar Pradesh: Agra worst-hit

In Uttar Pradesh, at least 45 people have been killed with 36 casualties in Agra Zone alone. Officials said that the death toll may cross 50 as many of the injured are still critical.

"As per figures received till noon, 45 people were killed and 38 injured in the dust storm in different parts of the state," Relief Commissioner Sanjay Kumar told PTI.

18 people were killed in Khairabad, 9 in Fatehabad, 4 in Bah, 2 each in Etmadpur and Kirwali area in Agra as winds at the speed of 132 km/hour, with a massive thunder and hailstorm, lashed the entire region.

In many areas, the power supply is yet to be restored.

Other districts affected were Bijnor, Bareli, Saharanpur, Pilibhit, Firozabad, Chitrakoot, Muzaffarnagar, Rae Bareli and Unnao where people died after houses and trees collapsed.

Three persons died in Bijnor, two in Saharanpur and one each in Bareilly, Chitrakoot, Raebareli and Unnao districts, Kumar said.

The weather suddenly took a devastating turn at 2.30 am on Thursday when people were fast asleep. At many places, a thunderstorm was followed by hailstorm severely damaging standing wheat crop and killing cattle.

While the storm lasted only for 15 minutes the devastation in terms of loss of human life, damage to crop and livestock were unmeasurable.

"We have sought a detailed report from the affected districts," the Relief Commissioner said, adding that 156 cattleheads also perished in the calamity.

Rajasthan: Bharatpur reports maximum deaths

In Rajasthan, at least 34 people were killed and nearly 100 injured as a high-intensity squall followed by thundershowers hit parts of the state overnight. Most deaths were reported from Bharatpur district where at least 12 people lost their lives.

Hemant Kumar Gera, Secretary, Disaster Management and Relief, said nearly 100 were injured in the disaster.

20 were injured in Alwar, 32 in Bharatpur and 50 in Dholpur respectively. "A few are undergoing primary treatment while others were discharged. One critical patient from Dholpur was referred to Jaipur," he said.

Uttarakhand, Delhi also hit

Heavy rains and dust storm also lashed Uttarakhand, Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. In Uttarakhand, the rains affected the ongoing Char Dham pilgrimage with roads being blocked with debris. Electricity supply was also affected in several areas with uprooted electricity poles and trees.

Capital Delhi was also hit by a squall and dust storm followed by heavy rain on Wednesday evening. A squall with a wind speed of 59 km per hour hit the city at 16.45 pm and continued till 16.47 pm, MeT Department said. 15 flights, including two international, were diverted due to the bad weather, airport officials said.

Many parts of Punjab and Haryana were also hit by the dust storm, severely damaging crops and power supply.

Yogi Adityanath directs senior officers to monitor relief operations

Taking note of the havoc caused by the dust storm, 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.

"Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar has spoken to Commissioner Agra division and directed him that relief be distributed by the evening and senior officers visit the injured in hospitals," Principal Secretary, Information, Avanish Awasthi said.

The government has also announced a Rs 4 lakh compensation to families of those killed in the disaster.

Vasundhara Raje expresses grief, Gehlot cancels birthday celebrations

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.

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, Gera said.

He said contingency 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% injuries and Rs 60,000 to people with 40 to 50% injuries.

In view of the calamity, Congress National General Secretary Ashok Gehlot cancelled his birthday celebrations at his official residence in Jaipur.

"We are extremely grieved at the loss of lives in the state and stand with the victims in this hour of tragedy I cancel all celebrations at my residence today. Blood donation camps and Janhit programs can be continued by organisers," he said.

(With PTI inputs)