Over 18 people were killed in lightning strikes throughout western India's Gujarat state on Sunday.
Heavy rainstorms are unusual in Gujarat during winter, and the torrential downpours caught many people off guard.
While flash floods and lightning kill dozens of people annually in India, experts warn that rising global temperatures trigger a chain reaction of extreme weather occurrences.
According to a statement issued late Sunday by Gujarat state authorities, at least 20 persons were murdered during the severe rains, with at least 18 of them killed by lightning.
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The heavy rainfall and lightning also killed at least 40 animals.
In a post on the social media platform X, Home Minister Amit Shah said he was "deeply saddened" by the deaths.
