Hailstorm destroys 150 homes, injures 40 people in 60 seconds, India

A fast-moving hailstorm destroyed as many as 150 pucca homes and injured around 40 people in Alivardipur village near Hindon floodplains of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India on February 7, 2019.

The rain started around 13:50 local time, followed by 60-seconds-long hailstorm around 15:40 and another storm accompanied by high-speed wind. As many as 15 homes were destroyed and over 1 000 people rendered homeless.

Local police said they received first reports of collapsed homes around 19:30 local time.

"Multiple teams of policemen, ambulances, and fire tenders were rushed to the spot. Initially, the police team found 10 – 12 injured people and rushed them to various hospitals in Noida and Greater Noida. The rest were taken to hospitals later."

Residents said they started rescue operation soon after several residents were crushed underneath the piles of bricks.

Local authorities said those affected by the storm are not entitled to any compensation or rehabilitation because all those homes were built illegally. Images available here.

Intense hailstorm and heavy rain hit parts of Delhi NCR on the same day. 

Almost 10 years have passed since Delhi saw hailstorm of such intensity, local meteorologists said. While Delhi typically receives only 15 mm (0.59 inches) of rain in February, this storm dropped 30 mm (1.2 inches) in just one day.

A huge tornado later formed and swept through the city of Faridabad in the neighboring state of Haryana. Damage reports mention a lot of debris on the roads and numerous motorcycles knocked over on the ground.

Featured image credit: Suomi NPP/VIIRS. Acquired February 7, 2019