Severe thunderstorms leave over 100 dead across Uttar Pradesh, India

Severe thunderstorms swept across Uttar Pradesh, India, on the night of May 13, 2026, claiming at least 104 lives and leaving over 59 people injured across the state. Prayagraj was the worst hit, with preliminary reports indicating between 20 and 30 fatalities. Widespread destruction was reported in multiple districts, with more than 80 homes being damaged along with other structures.

At least 104 people were reported dead after severe thunderstorms swept across Uttar Pradesh (UP) on May 13, causing widespread destruction across the state. Most storm-related incidents were reported between 20:00 and 23:30 IST (14:30 and 18:00 UTC).

The Relief Commissioner’s Office (RCO) said at least 114 livestock animals were also lost, while 87 homes were damaged. The main causes of fatality included wall collapses, lightning strikes, and tree falls during the storms.

“The Honorable Chief Minister has directed all Divisional Commissioners and District Magistrates to verify this with complete sensitivity and, within 24 hours, distribute financial assistance to the affected families while establishing direct communication with them to provide other necessary aid,” RCO said.

“The Office of the Relief Commissioner is continuously monitoring this through direct communication with district officials and ensuring the necessary funds are made available to the districts,” they added.

Hindu pilgrimage city of Prayagraj was the worst hit, with 21 deaths being reported; however, the exact number remains unclear, with local reports citing 21 to 30 fatalities in the Prayagraj district alone. Among the confirmed, at least seven deaths have been confirmed in Handia, four in Phulpur, three in Soraon, two in Meja, and one in Sadar.

At least 16 fatalities were also confirmed in the Bhadohi district. 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 were 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.

Meanwhile, four people died in separate incidents of wall collapses and lightning strikes. A 25-year-old man died after a cemented shed collapsed in Ojha Ka Purwa village. Another 56-year-old man died after a wall collapsed in Sari Swami Village. One 46-year-old woman in Narangpur and a 44-year-old man in Chahtarpur died due to storm-related incidents, according to local police officers.

At least two people were reported dead in the Kanpur Dehat District due to rain-related incidents. A 19-year-old girl died after being struck by lightning while standing under a tree in Bhauthari village, under the Rasulabad area, with her goats. Many of the goats were also killed, while a 44-year-old man nearby was injured.

At least one person was reported dead in each of the Deoria and Neruari villages due to lightning strikes, while one person died in Sonbhadra after getting trapped under an uprooted tree.

The fatality and damage totals remain preliminary and were current as of 15:10 IST (09:40 UTC) on May 13.

References:

¹ Violent storm tears through India’s most populous state, killing over 100 – Reuters – May 14, 2026

² 89 killed as thunderstorm batter Uttar Pradesh – TOI – May 14, 2026

³ Nearly 90 people killed as storm and rain batter Uttar Pradesh; relief work under way – The Hindu – May 14, 2026

Featured image credit: Goldy Srivastav

Rishav Kothari

I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.

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