At least 95 people are dead and several are injured after dust storms swept across the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan on Wednesday, reports the BBC.

The backdrop: Dust storms are common in India, but this one, with winds reaching up to 80 mph, was strong enough to knock down trees and collapse houses. Hotel owner Shivam Lohia told the AFP news agency, "I haven't seen such a devastating storm in at least 25 years. Everyone was scared and running for cover as trees and homes were getting blown away. It was a nightmare."