Heavy rains, lightning kill at least 36 in northern India

At least 24 people died after their homes collapsed amid unrelenting rains in Uttar Pradesh, as officials warn of more heavy downpours in coming days

Authorities issue new guidelines on protection during a thunderstorm after 39 people in Uttar Pradesh died from lightning in last five days

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Commuters make their way along a road during a heavy rainfall in Amritsar in India on September 23, 2022. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:00pm, 24 Sep 2022

Hazardous weather killed at least 36 people in northern India over the past 24 hours, including 12 who were struck by lightning, officials said as they warned of more heavy downpours in the coming days.

Across the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, at least 24 people died after their homes collapsed amid unrelenting rains, Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad said.

Mohamed Usman, 15, was on his friend’s roof in the city of Prayagraj when lightning struck on Friday evening, killing him instantly. His friend Aznan, who goes by one name, was injured and is being treated in a hospital.

Women mourn after Mohamed Usman, 15, was killed by lightning on Friday in Uttar Pradesh, India. Photo: AP

“As soon as they set foot on the roof, they were hit by lightning and my son died,” said Mohammad Ayub, Usman’s father.

Officials said 39 people in the state had died from lightning in the last five days, prompting authorities to issue new guidelines on how people can protect themselves during a thunderstorm.

Lightning strikes are common during India’s monsoon season, which runs from June to September.

According to Sanjay Srivastava, whose organisation Lightning Resilient India Campaign works with the Indian Meteorological Department, deforestation, the depletion of bodies of water, and pollution all contribute to climate change, which leads to more lightning.