Heavy Rain Claims 14 Lives In India

At least 14 people have died and 16 others have been injured over the past two days as heavy pre-monsoon showers hit India’s western state of Gujarat.

State officials reported the deaths on Tuesday, with television footage showing fallen trees and damaged crops due to severe lightning and thunderstorms that affected several districts.

According to India’s Meteorological Department, the unseasonal rainfall across the region was caused by a cyclonic circulation from nearby Pakistan and Rajasthan in India.

The weather department has warned of more rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds across Gujarat until Thursday.

“We are awaiting reports on crop damage,” secretary of the state’s agriculture department, Anju Sharma said.

Gujarat, a major producer of cotton, cumin, and rice, has been severely impacted by the heavy pre-monsoon showers. Last month, unseasonal heavy rain across eastern and central India, as well as parts of Nepal, led to over 100 fatalities.