At Least 42 killed in India storms

At least 42 people were killed and 50 others injured in thunderstorms and lightning that struck various parts of India's northern state of Uttar Pradeshearly as light rains and cool breeze across most Indian states brought down temperature, India Meteorological Department (IMD) officials said. High-speed winds lashed Ghaziabad, Shahjahanpur, Budaun, Meerut, Bulandshahr, Lakhimpur-Kheri and Lucknow districts of Uttar Pradesh, India's IANS news agency reported. The storms uprooted electricity poles and trees, damaged communication links, knocked down hoardings and also crushed mud-thatched homes. Shahjahanpur was hit the hardest as 16 people were reported to have lost their lives in the district. Storms are common in India's monsoon season, which usually lasts from June to October. Storms are generally triggered by large-scale cyclonic circulations hovering over the northern regions of the country.