At least 20 people have lost their lives in Gujarat due to lightning strikes and crops have been damaged in several areas following unseasonal rains, as per officials. Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and acknowledged the relief efforts being carried out by the local administration. In a tweet written in Gujarati, Mr. Shah stated, “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.”
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that the rainfall will decrease on Monday, although it will still be concentrated in certain parts of south Gujarat and Saurashtra districts. Data from the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) reveals that on Sunday, rainfall was recorded in 234 out of Gujarat’s 252 talukas. Districts such as Surat, Surendranagar, Kheda, Tapi, Bharuch, and Amreli experienced heavy rainfall, ranging from 50 to 117 mm within a span of just 16 hours.
The IMD has reported the presence of a cyclonic circulation over the northeast Arabian Sea, extending its influence over the Saurashtra and Kutch regions.
