NEW DELHI, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Rain-related incidents in India's western state of Gujarat have claimed 31 lives since the beginning of the current monsoon season, officials said Tuesday.
"So far 31 rain-related deaths have been reported across the state in the ongoing monsoon," a senior local government official said. "The deaths have been caused due to drowning, lightning, house collapse and other relevant incidents."
Heavy rain hitting the state from the beginning of June has pushed water level up in many dams and water bodies, following which local authorities sounded an alert cautioning people not to venture close them.
According to State Emergency Response Centre (SERC), the rain caused water level in several dams to rise to nearly 90 percent of their capacity.
The rain has damaged roads, houses and other property, besides triggering migrations from some districts. Authorities said they would soon launch sanitation drive in rain-affected areas.
