The death toll in yesterday's dust storm and squall in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar has risen to over 50. With 21 more deaths reported from parts of Uttar Pradesh today, the toll has gone up to 35. <br/><br/>Official sources said,while five persons were killed in Firozabad, three deaths were reported from Aligarh, two each from Kanpur, Faizabad and Gonda and one each from Sultanpur, Etah, Maharajganj, Varanasi, Mau, Chandauli, Kosikalan. High velocity winds uprooted hoardings, trees, electric and telephone poles disrupting communication links and traffic flow at some places.<br/> <br/>Nine more deaths were reported from various districts of Bihar today, taking the toll to 17. Official sources said eight deaths were reported from Kaimur, followed by four from Nalanda, two each from Gaya and Nawada and one in Rohtas. <br/><br/>Thunderstorm accompanied by rains lashed the State causing widespread damages to houses, crops and uprooting hundreds of trees. <br/><br/>Power supply and BSNL connectivity were disrupted and rail traffic affected in large parts of of the State. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex-gratia of 1.5 lakh rupees each, including 50,000 from CM Relief Fund to the kin of those who lost their lives in the storm. He asked the district authorities and state disaster management department to intensify relief and rescue measures in the affected areas.