Lightning strikes kill 4 in India's Rajasthan

NEW DELHI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- At least four people were killed and four others injured in lightning strikes in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, officials said Monday.

According to meteorological department officials, with the onset of the southwest monsoon on Sunday, the state received heavy rains and was hit by lightning incidents.

Officials said the deaths took place in Pali, Baran and Chittorgarh districts of the state.

Last week five people were killed in rain-related incidents in the state, which it received in the aftermath of cyclonic storm Biparjoy that hit the adjacent state of Gujarat.

The heavy rains triggered flooding and severe waterlogging in Barmer, Jalore and Sirohi districts of the state. Many villages and towns were inundated due to the heavy rains.

Local media reports quoting data from the federal ministry of earth sciences said 907 people were killed in 2022 due to lightning strikes across India.