Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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40 Killed in India Dust Storm, Heavy Rains

by VOA News

   A powerful dust storm, heavy rains and thunderstorms have killed more
   than 40 people across northern India.

   The storms, with winds of more than 70 km/h, struck Sunday, demolishing
   homes, uprooting trees and downing power lines in Uttar Pradesh, Andhra
   Pradesh, West Bengal and the Delhi region.

   In the capital New Delhi, winds of more than 100 km/h forced 70 flights
   to be diverted, and caused the closure of Indira Gandhi International
   Airport for more than two hours, emergency authorities said.

   Earlier this month, similar unseasonable storms killed more than 150
   people and injured 200 in five states. Schools and colleges remain
   closed in several districts.

   Such storms are unusual at this time of the year in India, with the
   start of monsoon season nearly six weeks away.