Torrential rains in India have led to severe flooding, resulting in at least 15 fatalities, according to local media reports on Wednesday.
The flooding has overwhelmed rivers in the coastal western state of Gujarat, causing widespread damage and prompting the evacuation of over 23,000 residents.
The Business Standard newspaper reported that the deaths occurred across eight districts in Gujarat since Monday.
In response to the adverse conditions, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel urged fishermen to stay out of the sea, advising that fishing crews avoid the dangerous waters.
While monsoon rains are a regular occurrence in India, experts attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events to climate change.
Last week, the northeastern state of Tripura also experienced devastating floods and landslides, resulting in over 20 deaths.
In neighboring Bangladesh, heavy flooding during the same period claimed at least 40 lives and forced nearly 300,000 residents into emergency shelters.
AFP
