NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday permitted ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh each for the relatives of those died in the thunderstorm that hit several parts of north Indian states, mainly Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, on May 2.

PM Modi also cleared Rs 50,000 each for the critically injured. Over 124 people lost their battle of lives due to thunderstorm and lightning in five states prior this week, the home ministry stated quoting figures reported by the severely affected states. The maximum number of casualties was in UP, where 73 people were died and 91 hurt while in Rajasthan, 35 people were killed and 209 injured. In Rajasthan 12,000 electric poles were uprooted and 2,500 transformers were smashed in the storm.

In Uttarakhand six were killed and two lives were lost in Punjab while eight persons died under similar conditions in Telangana.

On a related note the meteorological department issued a fresh warning on Friday about possible thunderstorm accompanied with gusty winds for the next 3-4 days, said.

 According to the meteorological department sorces On May 6 and 7, thunderstorm accompanied by squall and hail is expected in parts of J&K, HP and Uttarakhand. Thunderstorm and gust of wind is also predicts in parts of Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western UP, Bengal, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Eastern UP may witness thunderstorm with squall on May 6. Dust storms are very expected in isolated places in UP and Rajasthan.