Ten die in unseasonal rain, dust storm in Gujarat

Surjit Kumar Dhal,Ahmedabad, April 17: Unseasonal rain and dust storm hit several parts of Gujarat, leaving at least 10 people dead and several injured.

According to officials on Wednesday, rain and dust storm were reported from areas including districts in North Gujarat and Saurashtra region on Tuesday afternoon.

Most of the deaths were reported in North Gujarat due to lightning strike and falling of trees.

Also, a portion of a tent erected for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rally in Himmatnagar town of North Gujarat was damaged in the dust storm, an official earlier said.

Modi has expressed anguish over the loss of lives and said the authorities are monitoring the situation very closely and all possible assistance is being given to those affected.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister’s Office said, Modi has approved an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the kin of those who have lost their lives.