Monsoon death toll reaches 1,528 this season

Extreme weather events during the June to September monsoon season claimed at least 1,528 lives across India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported on Tuesday, citing media sources.

- MPOST BUREAU

Of the total fatalities, 935 were attributed to floods and heavy rainfall, 570 to lightning and thunderstorms, and 22 to heat waves. The states worst affected included Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Jammu and Kashmir.

Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest toll, with 290 deaths-153 from floods and heavy rains and 135 from lightning. Himachal Pradesh reported 141 fatalities, nearly all linked to flash floods and landslides caused by torrential rains, while Jammu and Kashmir followed with 139 rain-related deaths.