Climate change is fueling an alarming increase in deadly lightning strikes in India, killing nearly 1,900 people a year in the world’s most populous country, scientists warn.

Lightning caused a staggering 101,309 deaths between 1967 and 2020, with a sharp increase between 2010 and 2020.

The results indicate a steady increase in lightning activity in India, positioning it as a major killer among climate change-induced natural disasters.

Lightning strikes are common in India during the June-September monsoon rains, which is crucial to replenishing regional water supplies.