In the wake of unseasonal rainfall, at least 25 casualties have been reported in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh over the past 24 hours, with the weather office anticipating further precipitation in the coming 72 hours. Gujarat has witnessed the highest toll, with 20 reported deaths attributed to lightning strikes during the unexpected rainfall on Sunday, according to media reports.
Amit Shah, the Union home minister, expressed condolences for the lives lost and assured that local administrations are actively involved in relief efforts. In Gujarat, fatalities were spread across different districts, including Dahod, Bharuch, Tapi, and others.
In Madhya Pradesh, four individuals lost their lives due to lightning strikes during the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. The untimely rains have caused a drop in minimum temperatures to 5.4°C in the state, marking the first unseasonal winter rainfall in 39 districts. Weather officials predict continued rainfall for the next three to four days in Madhya Pradesh, with the western disturbance and cyclonic winds playing significant roles.
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Western parts of Rajasthan, including Jaisalmer and Barmer, experienced light rainfall triggered by a western disturbance. While Sanchore (Jalore) witnessed a hailstorm, eastern Rajasthan remained mostly dry. The meteorological department forecasts rain with thunder in Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer, and Kota divisions, with the possibility of moderate to heavy rain and even hailstorm in some areas.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) attributes the widespread rainfall to a cyclonic circulation over the northeast Arabian Sea and adjoining regions. While rains are expected to abate in the coming days, the IMD underscores the persistence of the western disturbance and other atmospheric conditions contributing to the unusual weather patterns across these states.
