Hazardous weather has killed at least 36 people in northern India over the past 24 hours, including 12 who 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 Friday evening, killing him instantly. His friend Aznan, who goes by one name, was injured and is being treated in a hospital.
"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 have died from lightning in the last five days, prompting authorities to issue new guidelines for how people can protect themselves during a thunderstorm.
Lightning strikes are common during India's monsoon season, which runs from June to September.
India is caught between the Devil and the deep blue seas.
The Bay of Bengal is currently supplying a Northly movement of air/ moisture off the equator along the Eastern seaboard of India whilst there a southerly movement of air / moisture in the Arabian sea to the West of India.
The Indian Ocean South of the equator is quite volatile, compared the the Northern side of the equator.
So, heat, moisture and slow moving air that is heading North, no wonder India is being subjected to heavy rainfalls.
What is it with Indians getting zapped all over the place ? A recurring news item. More minerals in their water ? Don't they know thunder storms can be dangerous ?
Demore Their used to rain, but today's atmosphere is becoming increasingly energised as a consequence of the distribution of cold air within Earth's atmosphere.
So the humble rain now packs a punch, right down to the ground
PS. That's technically not true, as the ground releases a charge up to meet the descending strike.
Winternights3 ''... as the ground releases a charge up to meet the descending strike.''
Yes, I have seen it up close once while driving. The contact happened about 30 feet up in that case. At the meeting point it looked like the tip of a welding rod at the separation point from the metal with sparks flying. It happened some 100 feet or so away in a field. The ''dzztt'' immediately followed with the thunder were impressive. The bolt looked like between 1 and 2 feet across. I can still see in my mind's eye and hear it after all these years.
The Bay of Bengal is currently supplying a Northly movement of air/ moisture off the equator along the Eastern seaboard of India whilst there a southerly movement of air / moisture in the Arabian sea to the West of India.
The Indian Ocean South of the equator is quite volatile, compared the the Northern side of the equator.
So, heat, moisture and slow moving air that is heading North, no wonder India is being subjected to heavy rainfalls.