NEW DELHI – Dust storms that tore across northern India killed at least 77people and left 143 injured as trees and walls were brought down bypowerful winds, officials said.

The overnight storm ravaged Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan states and thedeath toll was expected to rise, officials said.

There were 46 confirmed deaths in Uttar Pradesh in the north and 31 inRajasthan to the west.

The Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, home to the Taj Mahal monument, was oneof the worst hit, according to media reports.

Most of the victims were hit by falling walls and trees.

“We can confirm at least 46 deaths, 41 injuries from around 40 of thestate´s 75 districts,” TP Gupta of the Uttar Pradesh relief commissioner´soffice told AFP. – APP/AFP