Lucknow/Delhi, April 11 -- A sudden change in weather conditions wreaked havoc across Uttar Pradesh on Thursday morning as heavy rain, strong winds, hailstorms, and lightning caused widespread destruction in a number of districts. At least six people were reported dead due to lightning strikes, while thousands of acres of standing crops suffered extensive damage in 25 cities, including Lucknow, Kanpur, and Gorakhpur.

Delhi and other nearby areas in the National Capital Region (NCR) too recorded a sudden change in weather conditions during the day, witnessing dust storm, lightning and moderate rain.

State capital Lucknow plunged into darkness around 8am as thick clouds covered the sky, followed by a three-hour spell of heavy rain. Street...