Heavy rains Lash Gujarat: 20 dead in lightning strikes, several houses damaged | What we know so far
According to the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), a total of 20 rain-related deaths have been reported in various districts of Gujarat and the deaths are attributed to lightning strikes.
Ahmedabad: At least 20 people were killed and several others injured in lightning strikes in Gujarat over the weekend as the state experienced unseasonal rainfall, an official told news agency PTI. Several houses were also damaged due to the unseasonal rain in the state.
According to the State Emergency Operation Center (SEOC), a total of 20 rain-related deaths have been reported in various districts of Gujarat.
The deaths have been attributed to lightning strikes that occurred during the intense, unseasonal rainstorms that lashed the state on Sunday.
The SEOC official further gave a district-wise breakdown of the casualties: four deaths in Dahod, three in Bharuch, two in Tapi and one each in Ahmedabad, Amreli, Banaskantha, Botad, Kheda, Mehsana, Panchmahal, Sabarkantha, Surat, Surendranagar. and Devbhumi Dwarka.
Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his grief and assured that the local administration is actively involved in relief and rescue operations.
“I am deeply saddened by the news of the death of many people due to bad weather and lightning in various cities of Gujarat. I express my deepest condolences for the irreparable loss of those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy.
The local administration is engaged in relief efforts and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to the SEOC data, Surat, Surendranagar, Kheda, Tapi, Bharuch and Amreli districts in Gujarat recorded 50-117 mm rainfall in 16 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual decline in rainfall activity from Monday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), rainfall is expected to decrease on Monday, while it will be concentrated in some parts of South Gujarat and Saurashtra districts.
Heavy rainfall was recorded in 234 of Gujarat’s 252 talukas on Sunday. Districts like Surat, Surendranagar, Kheda, Tapi, Bharuch and Amreli witnessed particularly heavy rainfall, with amounts ranging from 50 to 117 mm in just 16 hours.
The IMD further stated that a cyclonic circulation is prevailing over the northeastern Arabian Sea, extending its influence over the Saurashtra and Kutch regions.