Thunderstorm wreaks havoc in 4 states: IMD predicts rain, squall over next 72 hours

Thunderstorm and squall are likely to hit North Indian state in the next two to three days, the meteorological department has warned. An orange category warning -- which means the weather can significantly impact the lives of people -- has been issued for the hilly areas in the north, the northeast and Odisha.

At least 41 people were killed after dust and thunderstorms swept through parts of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Delhi-NCR on Sunday evening.

Dust storms and thunderstorms wreaked havoc in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and the national capital, killing at least 41 people and leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Uttar Pradesh bore the brunt of a thunderstorm and hail that left at least 18 people dead, while 12 people including four children were killed in West Bengal, nine in Andhra Pradesh, and two in Delhi, officials said.

In Andhra Pradesh, nine persons were killed in lightning strikes. While seven people were killed in Srikakulam district alone, two more were killed in Kadapa, officials said. Various parts of the southern state witnessed rain, accompanied by gales.

In West Bengal, at least 12 people, including four children, were killed and over 15 injured in lightning strike amid heavy rain, an official of the state disaster management department said. Five deaths were reported from Howrah district, while two deaths each from West Midnapore, North 24-Parganas and Nadia districts and one from Murshidabad district.

Five people were killed in the Delhi National Capital Region, including a woman who was killed in Greater Noida after a billboard fell on her while driving a scooter, also injuring her son.