Some 38 people have been killed by lightning strikes in India as stormy weather rocks the country.

The majority of those killed were in the western state of Rajasthan, where 11 people died after lightning struck at a watchtower near the 12th century Amber Fort.

Senior police officer Anand Srivastava said some of those killed there had been taking selfies near the site on Sunday.

Mr Srivastava added that at least nine more were killed and 20 others injured in another set of strikes after the area was battered with monsoon rains and thunderstorms.

In the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, 18 people lost their lives after being struck by lightning, according to a government official, most of which had been labourers working on farmland.

There are warnings from the country’s meteorological department that the severe weather could continue for another two days.

Lightning strikes are common during India’s monsoon seasons, which runs from June to September.

According to the most recent data available, more than 2,900 people were killed by lightning in India in 2019.

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