Monsoon Havoc in Gujarat: Torrential Rains Kill 18 Since Monday

Heavy monsoon rains have pummeled India’s western state of Gujarat since Monday, claiming at least 18 lives. Many victims succumbed to lightning strikes, storm damage, and collapsing structures. The hardest hit areas—Palitana and Jesar—received a staggering 867 mm (about 34 inches) of rainfall within 24 hours. Dozens have been rescued from low-lying and flooded zones, including trapped farm laborers and families displaced by overflowing rivers. State disaster response teams and inter-departmental relief efforts have been mobilized to assist affected communities.