According to government officials, twenty-four people have died from lightning strikes and around 23 have been injured in rain-related incidents in Gujarat, India. The heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms have caused significant damage to houses and loss of cattle across the state.
Government data shows that some areas received up to 144 mm (5.7 inches) of rain in the 24 hours leading up to Monday morning. Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavij Patel announced plans to conduct a survey to assess the loss suffered, with compensation to be paid to victims based on the survey’s results.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that rainfall will continue in parts of the state on Monday. Gujarat has a history of rain-related calamities, with 14 people dying in August 2020 over just two days due to heavy rains and flooding. In August 2019, 31 people died in the state in rain-related incidents.
Reported by Sumit Khanna, the article was written by Kanjyik Ghosh and edited by Stephen Coates.
