Days after 73 people were killed in a dust storm in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Adityanath on Saturday conducted an aerial survey of the affected areas. He also distributed cheques to people who were affected by the storm in Agra’s Fatehabad.

Adityanath met the victims of the storm in the hospital and reviewed the relief measures taken by the district administration. “Relief has been provided to the affected,” Adityanath said, according to ANI. “Kin of those who died have been given Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia and the injured are given free treatment in hospitals.”

Over 100 people have died and dozens injured in squalls and sandstorms in parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh since Wednesday evening. More than 35 people have died in Rajasthan. The worst hot district in Uttar Pradesh was Agra where 43 people died and 35 were injured.

Adityanath was to campaigning in Karnataka, where Assembly elections are due on May 12. He was scheduled to continue campaigning till Saturday noon, however, he was criticised for continuing on the campaign trail in Karnataka even after the sandstorms. On Friday, the Uttar Pradesh chief minister cut short election campaign and returned to his state.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had said on Wednesday, “I am sorry your chief minister [Adityanath] is needed here in Karnataka. I am sure he will return soon and attend to his work there [in Uttar Pradesh]”.

Samajwadi Party chief and former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had said, “The chief minister should leave campaigning for the Karnataka elections immediately and return to UP”. “He has been elected to solve the problems of UP, and not to get involved with Karnataka politics.”