At least 14 people have been killed and several others injured after lightning struck across the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand, highlighting the dangers of the country's annual monsoon season.
Police said those killed included many agricultural workers who were caught outdoors during thunderstorms. The worst-hit area was Giridih district, where many of the victims were working in open fields when lightning struck.
At least seven other people were injured in the storms.
Lightning-related deaths are a recurring hazard during India's monsoon months, particularly in rural areas where large numbers of people work outdoors in farming and construction.
Authorities said most of those killed in Jharkhand were tending crops when the thunderstorms intensified, leaving them exposed to the severe weather.
India's weather department has forecast further widespread rainfall across the state in the coming days, raising concerns about additional weather-related incidents.
Lightning has become one of the deadliest weather hazards during India's monsoon season, which typically runs from June to September.
The National Crime Records Bureau reported that over 2,500 people died from lightning strikes each year in India from 2020 to 2024. Experts say the risk is especially high in areas with limited tree cover and among communities that depend on outdoor work for their livelihoods.
The India Meteorological Department has previously reported a significant increase in lightning activity in recent decades, with scientists linking the trend in part to changing climate patterns.
Jharkhand alone recorded more than 200 deaths linked mainly to lightning and thunderstorms in 2025, highlighting the scale of the challenge facing authorities.
The latest deaths follow a series of deadly lightning incidents reported in other parts of the country in recent years.
One of the most high-profile incidents occurred in Jaipur in 2021, where at least 16 people were killed after lightning struck a watchtower at the historic Amer Fort. Many of the victims were young people taking photographs and selfies during a rainstorm.
Officials have repeatedly urged residents to seek shelter as soon as thunderstorms develop, warning that lightning can strike far from the centre of a storm.
Beyond lightning strikes, this year's monsoon season has caused widespread destruction across India.
Flooding in Assam has claimed nearly 90 lives, while heavy rain in Kerala has killed at least 15 people and forced thousands from their homes.
With more rainfall expected across several regions, emergency authorities remain on alert as the country continues to grapple with one of its most dangerous weather periods of the year.
Weather officials advise people to take immediate precautions when lightning is forecast:
As storms continue across large parts of India, authorities are urging people to remain vigilant and follow weather warnings closely.
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