In an unprecedented climatic event, the western Indian state of Gujarat faced a series of lethal lightning strikes accompanied by intense thunderstorms and hailstorms, resulting in the deaths of at least 27 people.
Occurring on November 26-27, this extreme weather event was out of the ordinary for the season and left behind substantial destruction, including about 23 injuries. Such an occurrence was unexpected, especially in a state accustomed to managing rain-related disasters.
The impact was most acutely felt in regions like the Morbi district, where rainfall reached about 6 inches within 24 hours, surpassing the normal November averages. More than 220 talukas (districts) across the state suffered from the storm’s effects, with significant damage to agriculture and livestock, including the loss of over 70 cattle, buffalo, and other livestock.
Catching the state unprepared, the unusual weather patterns contrasted sharply with Gujarat’s experience in handling rain-related issues. The India Meteorological Department’s predictions of more rains in parts of Gujarat further highlight the trend of extreme weather conditions. Banaskantha district bore the brunt of the disaster, with 19 fatalities reported there alone. Additionally, the storm was responsible for two deaths caused by a structural collapse.
In light of the disaster, Gujarat Agriculture Minister Raghavij Patel announced plans for a comprehensive damage assessment survey, aimed at providing adequate compensation to the affected. Union Home Minister Amit Shah conveyed his sympathies for the lives lost, emphasizing the importance of aiding the injured in the aftermath.
This event forms part of a larger pattern of increasing vulnerability to extreme weather in India. Experts point to climate change as a factor in altering monsoon patterns, leading to incidents like these unseasonal storms.
The repercussions were not limited to Gujarat; other regions of India, including New Delhi, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, also experienced severe weather disruptions during the same period.
The National Crime Records Bureau reports an annual average of 49 deaths from lightning strikes between 2017 and 2021 in India. Scientists caution that increasing global temperatures contribute to the frequency and intensity of severe weather events, including lightning strikes and flash floods.
These developments highlight the need for improved weather forecasting and disaster management strategies to better cope with unpredictable weather patterns. These recent events add to the growing list of extreme weather occurrences in India, ranging from intense heatwaves to severe floods, all indicative of the increasing effects of climate change. The challenge lies in developing more effective climate resilience measures and infrastructure to combat the growing unpredictability of weather events.
As Gujarat begins to recover from this tragedy, attention is turning to assessing the total damage, supporting affected families, and strengthening the state’s readiness for future climate challenges.
