Wind storm in India damages homes, leaves at least 10 dead

LUCKNOW, India – At least 10 people were killed overnight as strong winds swept through north India, blowing down mud-walled homes and uprooting trees that slammed through houses and crushed people inside, officials said Tuesday.

Six died in Unnao district, 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh state, said state spokesman Awanish Awasthi. Four more people died elsewhere in the state. At least six people were injured.

The winds were blowing at nearly 80 kph (50 mph), strong enough to blow down the walls of mud homes, or cause trees to collapse and destroy concrete houses.

The storm also blew down electricity and power lines, Awasthi said.

North India has been pummeled repeatedly by wind and rain in recent weeks, including one storm that killed 134 people and another that killed 43. The weather often turns extreme in north India at this time of year, as the blistering summer heat prepares to give way to annual monsoon rains.