Gujarat: At least 20 people were killed in Gujarat due to lightning strikes amidst unseasonal rainfall, an official told news agency PTI.
According to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC), there have been 20 rain-related deaths reported in various districts of Gujarat. These incidents, attributed to lightning strikes, occurred during the intense unseasonal downpour that affected the state on Sunday.
The SEOC official provided a breakdown of the casualties by district: four fatalities 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.
In response to the tragic loss of life, Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences and affirmed 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 to those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy. The local administration is engaged in relief work, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
According to SEOC data, Gujarat’s Surat, Surendranagar, Kheda, Tapi, Bharuch and Amreli districts recorded 50-117 mm rainfall in 16 hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a gradual decline in rainfall activity starting Monday.
SEOC data reveals that, in a 16-hour span, Surat, Surendranagar, Kheda, Tapi, Bharuch, and Amreli districts of Gujarat received rainfall between 50-117 mm. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates a gradual reduction in rainfall activity commencing Monday.