At least 100 People Killed due to 'Freak' Dust Storms in Northern India

A chain of powerful thunderstorms that resulted in nearly 100 deaths in north and northwest India on Wednesday night was caused by unusually high temperatures, availability of moisture, and an unstable atmosphere which, in turn, led to the formation of a chain of thunderstorms.
There were 73 confirmed deaths in Uttar Pradesh state, most in Agra district where the Taj Mahal is located. Another 36 died in Rajasthan and two each in Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. Most of them occurred from house collapses. The death toll in all four states could still rise.
Although no deaths were reported, normal life was also hit in many places in Punjab and Haryana on Wednesday after a high-velocity dust storm swept the states. A vast quantity of freshy harvested wheat was drenched by heavy rain in many parts of the two states. trees were uprooted and power supplies cut by the squall. Less intense storms in Delhi caused traffic jams and flight diversions.
More than 160 animals also died in the storms, according to officials in Uttar Pradesh.
Most of the people died while they were sleeping in houses during collapse at night,disaster management officials said. Falling pylons and trees also contributed to the death toll.
Heating of the landmass causes an updraught or the movement of air upwards. If moisture is present, the updraught will carry the moisture upwards. When this air reaches the colder parts of the upper atmosphere, water vapour condenses to form dense deep clouds. When clouds cannot contain moisture, it rains, creating a downdraught, a movement of air downwards.
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