Lucknow, May 21 (IANS) At least 42 people were killed and 50 others were injured in thunderstorms and lightning that struck various parts of Uttar Pradesh early Saturday morning, an official said.

 
 High-speed winds lashed parts of eastern and central Uttar Pradesh around 5 a.m., uprooting trees and lamp-posts and knocking down hoardings, besides crushing thatched homes in villages. In some places, the storms were followed by a brief but heavy downpour.
 
 According to an official spokesman, Shahjahanpur district was the worst affected with as many as 16 deaths, followed by Lakhimpur-Kheri with 11, Budaun with nine, Ambedkarnagar (4) and Bareilly (2). 
 
 Strong winds also lashed the state capital but no casualties were reported here.
 
 Most of those killed were either pavement dwellers or other people living in makeshift houses.
 
 The state government has ordered payments of Rs.100,000 as ex gratia relief to the next of kin of those killed in the storms.