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Although Gujarat is used to weather-related disasters, significant downpours are seldom predicted in the state during the winter.
In the last two days, the western Indian state of Gujarat has had 24 lightning-related deaths and around 23 rain-related injuries, according to government officials. As of Monday morning, the rains are still falling.
According to state government statistics, the state had severe rain, thunderstorms, and hailstorms on Sunday and Monday. Some locations in the state received as much as 144mm (5.7 inches) of rain in the 24 hours that ended Monday morning.
Across the state, the rains resulted in livestock losses and damage to homes. Additionally, at least 40 animals perished.
Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel stated on Monday, “We will begin a survey soon to assess the loss suffered,” and that victims will receive compensation based on the survey’s findings.
Rainfall is expected to persist in several areas of the state on Monday, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
In a post on social networking site X, Federal Home Minister Amit Shah, who is from Gujarat along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed his “deep sadness” over the fatalities.
Although large-scale rainstorms are common in Gujarat throughout the winter, many people were unprepared for the intense downpours that took them off guard.
In just two days in August 2020, a number of incidents involving severe rains and flooding claimed the lives of fourteen individuals in the state. Thirty-one persons lost their lives in rain-related accidents in the state in August of the prior year, 2019.
Scientists warn that a series of catastrophic weather events are being unleashed by rising global temperatures, even though flash floods and lightning kill scores of people in India annually.
source:-aljazeera
