At least 32 people killed as severe weather slams India

Torrential rains and thunderstorms have killed at least 32 people in northwest India.

The central state of Madhya Pradesh registered 16 deaths, followed by 10 in Gujarat and six in Rajasthan, according to the news site Indian Express.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was deeply anguished by the loss of lives. “My thoughts are with the bereaved families. Authorities are monitoring the situation very closely. All possible assistance is being given to those affected,” he said in a tweet.

The storms struck at a time of year which is normally predominantly dry across the region, but the weather system dragged in moisture from the Arabian Sea, creating violent thunderstorms.

The severe weather affecting India is the same system which also caused widespread damage in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The flooding in Afghanistan killed at least five people and injured 17 others, while several homes were destroyed and livestock washed away.

In Pakistan, at least 14 people were killed by the storms.

Weather warnings are still in force across north India on Wednesday, with winds of up to 70km per hour expected to accompany the thunderstorms. Eastern parts of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh states are expected to be the worst affected area.

The system is expected to ease on Thursday, with the showers becoming increasingly confined to the northeast.