Lucknow, Mar 30 (IANS): Even as pleasant weather in the last two days brought some respite for residents of Uttar Pradesh, lightning which accompanied the rains killed at least nine people in different parts of the state till late Friday, officials said.
Officials told IANS that of the nine killed, one was a woman. Nine others have been seriously injured in the lightning strikes.
The deaths occured in Chandauli (3), Ghazipur (2), Sambhal (1) and Meerut (3). Three people were seriously injured as lightning hit them late night at Ghazipur, officials said.
Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a sudden change of weather in the last two days. Other than a brief spell of rain, many parts of the state were hit by dust storms.
The state government has decided to give ex-gratia payment to the kin of the dead from the natural calamity fund as per norms, officials said.