At least 18 people have perished, and 40 animals have perished in western India’s Gujarat state due to intense lightning strikes and heavy rains that swept across the region on Sunday.

These storms, which are unusual for the winter season in Gujarat, caught many people off guard, resulting in widespread devastation.

While flash floods and lightning strikes tragically claim the lives of dozens of people in India each year, scientists are warning that the rise in global temperatures is exacerbating these extreme weather events.

Authorities in Gujarat state confirmed that at least 20 people had died as a result of the severe weather conditions, with at least 18 of those fatalities attributed to lightning strikes.

Home Minister Amit Shah expressed his deep sadness over the loss of life, sharing his condolences on the social media platform X.

“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 to those who lost their loved ones in this tragedy for their irreparable loss. The local administration is engaged in relief work, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote.