Winds of more than 130 kilometres (80 miles) per hour ravaged parts of northern Uttar Pradesh and western Rajasthan states late Wednesday.

People walking under heavy rainfall in the northern hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh state. Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said May 3. // AFP PHOTO

“We can confirm at least 65 deaths from around 40 of the state’s 75 districts,” T.P. Gupta of the Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner’s office told AFP.

Rajasthan’s disaster management chief said 33 people were confirmed dead as the region braces for more high-speed winds.

 Indian residents (lower R) looking out from their home next to a fallen electricity line following a major storm in Agra in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said May 3. // AFP PHOTO

A man is carried from the debris of his damaged home following a major dust storm in Etmadpur, in Agra district in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state, on May 3, 2018. Dust storms tore across northern India killing at least 77 people and injuring 143 as trees and walls were flattened by powerful winds, officials said May 3. // AFP PHOTO

A fallen tree hit by high winds during a major storm in Agra in northern India’s Uttar Pradesh state. Dust storms that tore across northern India killed at least 77 people and left 143 injured as trees and walls were brought down by powerful winds, officials said May 3. // AFP PHOTO