24 people lose their lives due to lightning and rainfall in western India

Intense storms in India have resulted in the deaths of at least 24 people due to lightning strikes and heavy rain, authorities have stated. The western Gujarat state experienced significant damage to homes and loss of livestock as a result of the rain. These storms are uncommon during the winter season in Gujarat, catching many off guard. Flash floods and lightning strikes frequently claim thousands of lives in India annually, and scientists warn that the increasing global temperatures are contributing to a surge in extreme weather events. The warming of land and sea surface temperatures leads to warmer air above, providing more energy for thunderstorms and lightning strikes. The downpour is expected to continue in western India, and out of the 24 reported deaths, 18 were caused by lightning strikes. Gujarat state witnessed heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms, with some areas receiving up to 144mm (5.7 inches) of rain within 24 hours. India's Home Minister expressed his condolences and confirmed that relief work was underway. Lightning strikes have caused over 100,000 deaths in India between 1967 and 2019. However, reported fatalities have been decreasing in recent years due to improved lightning risk management, including forecasting and early warning systems. A study conducted by the Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council revealed that India recorded over 18 million lightning strikes between April 2020 and March 2021, indicating a 34% increase compared to the previous year.