AHMEDABAD, July 30: Heavy monsoon rains in India’s state of Gujarat have killed at least 12 people and forced thousands to evacuate their homes and move to higher ground, officials said on Sunday.

The deaths were due to drowning, lighting strikes and building collapses, they said.

More than 15,000 villagers have been affected since Friday in the southern and central regions of one of India’s most prosperous and industrialised states.

“We are taking every precautionary measure to ensure the safety of people as heavy rains have been forecast for the next 48 hours,” D. A. Satya, a senior relief official, said.

Police have been asked to be on alert to help in more evacuations as several rivers were close to bursting their banks.

Rail traffic between Ahmedabad, Gujarat’s main city, and Mumbai has been affected due to flood waters covering rail tracks.

Last year, floods in Gujarat killed at least 56 people and left more than 65,000 homeless.

In the neighbouring state of Maharashtra, TV channels reported the army was called in to evacuate villagers in Sangli district.

Every year, monsoon rains, which are vital for India’s agriculture and overall economic growth, kill hundreds of people and destroy many houses and damage crops.—Reuters