LUCKNOW: At least 89 people were killed after powerful storms, heavy rain, hail, and lightning hit India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday.

State authorities said 53 people were injured, 87 houses damaged, and more than 100 livestock killed as strong winds uprooted trees and billboards across several districts. Many victims died after trees and walls collapsed during the storm.

The chief minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, directed local authorities to provide immediate relief and compensation to affected families. Northern India regularly experiences severe storms before the arrival of the annual monsoon season.