World Leaders Mourn As 111 Dead in UP Storm; PM Modi Yet To React

New Delhi: Powerful hailstorms, accompanied by lightning and heavy rain, swept across several districts of Uttar Pradesh this week, killing at least 111 people, government officials said.

Thunderstorms and winds of up to 130 km/hr uprooted trees, electric poles and tin roofs, causing significant damage across 26 districts, injuring 72 people, killing 179 livestock and wrecking 227 houses, State Relief Commissioner Hrishikesh Bhaskar Yashod's office said on Thursday (May 14).

The deaths were reported after extreme weather conditions on Wednesday, May 13. Officials said the situation is actively being monitored.

The human cost of the storms

At least four people each are reported to have died in the Barabanki, Bahraich, Kanpur, Basti, Sambhal, Hardoi and Unnao districts of the state, while the highest number of deaths were recorded in Prayagraj (21), Mirzapur (19), Sant Ravidas Nagar (16) and Fatehpur (11), as per information released by the relief commissioner's office.

One video, widely circulated around social media, appeared to show a man hurled several feet high into the air as a building's roof was torn off in Bareilly. The Press Trust of India (PTI) spoke to the survivor in hospital, who said he was trying to secure a tin roof with rope when strong wind lifted the sheet nearly 50 feet into the air.

In Kanpur Dehat, a 19-year-old woman died after being struck by lightning while looking for shelter under a tree during heavy rain.

Government response

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed district magistrates and officials to visit the sites of damage and assist the victims and their families. “He has instructed districts to provide updates on the situation every three hours. He also asked district magistrates and concerned officials to immediately visit the sites and complete the survey at the earliest so that compensation can be released in coordination with the concerned departments,” an official statement said.

In a post on X, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav urged unaffected workers to help the affected people and called on the government to provide comprehensive relief. "The government should immediately carry out relief and rescue work on a war footing, immediate arrangements should be made for the best possible free treatment for the injured, food and water should be made available as soon as possible, temporary accommodation should be arranged and the dead should be cremated with respect," Yadav said.

World leaders express sympathy, New Delhi remains silent

Several countries and world leaders, including Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore, have expressed their condolences on the lives lost during the storms. In a message addressed to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russia's President Vladimir Putin offered his sympathy over the "heavy loss of life and large-scale destruction" in Uttar Pradesh.

“Please convey my words of sympathy and support to the families and loved ones of those who perished, as well as wishes for a speedy recovery to all those injured as a result of this natural disaster, " the message shared by the Russian foreign ministry read.

✉️ President Putin sent a message of condolences to President of India @rashtrapatibhvn & Prime Minister @narendramodi:

✍️ Please accept my deepest condolences over the heavy loss of life & large-scale destruction caused by the cyclone in Uttar Pradesh.https://t.co/ZiSzmRoSj2 pic.twitter.com/BwaM367Gay

— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) May 14, 2026

Singapore High Commissioner Simon Wong wrote on X, “shocked and saddened by the news of the loss of lives in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh after the sudden storm. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families.” In a heartfelt picture accompanying the post, Wong appeared to be offering prayers for the lives lost during the natural calamity.

Shocked and saddened by the news of the loss of lives #bareilly #uttarpradesh after the sudden storm. My heartfelt condolences and prayers to the families. HC Wong@CMOfficeUP @myogiadityanath @myogioffice pic.twitter.com/EMYpdHagvx

— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) May 15, 2026

The UAE ministry of foreign affairs expressed condolences to the victims' families, wishing for speedy recovery. "The United Arab Emirates has expressed its sincere condolences and solidarity with the Republic of India following the storm that swept through Uttar Pradesh, which resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries, as well as significant damage", the statement said.

"Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of India, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured," it further added.

UAE Expresses Solidarity with India and Conveys Condolences over Storm Victims pic.twitter.com/gx3Qu7IOTv

— MoFA وزارة الخارجية (@mofauae) May 14, 2026

As foreign leaders from different countries paused to grieve, PM Narendra Modi is yet to issue a public statement on the disaster.

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