By Sumit Khanna
Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms have wreaked havoc in the western Indian state of Gujarat, resulting in 24 fatalities and 23 injuries from lightning strikes and other rain-related incidents over the past 48 hours. The downpours, accompanied by hailstorms, have caused extensive damage to homes and livestock, with some areas receiving up to 144 mm (5.7 inches) of rain within a 24-hour period.
Gujarat Agriculture Minister, Raghavij Patel, has announced plans for a comprehensive survey to assess the extent of the devastation and to provide compensation to the affected individuals based on the survey’s findings. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted continued rainfall in parts of the state on Monday.
This is not the first time that Gujarat has faced rain-related calamities. In August 2020, the state witnessed 14 fatalities over two days due to heavy rains and flooding. Similarly, in August 2019, 31 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents within the state.
As the rains persist, the authorities are bracing for potential further damage while offering support to those affected by the recent deluge.
(Reporting by Sumit Khanna; Writing by Kanjyik Ghosh; Editing by Stephen Coates)
