Heavy rains claim 44 lives in UP

At least 44 people have been killed in heavy rains in several parts of Uttar Pradesh since Tuesday evening, according to sources in Lucknow.

In the worst hit Sitapur district, 40 people, including women and children, were killed in a number of incidents of house collapse, they said.

Two persons were killed in Baskhi-ka-Talab area near Lucknow while one death each was reported from Barabanki and Kaushambi districts.

The heavy downpour hit communication network, submerged roads and rail tracks in Sitapur and caused huge loss of livestock, the sources said.