NEW DELHI, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Heavy downpour accompanied by lightning in India's southern state of Andhra Pradesh have killed 11 people, officials said Wednesday.
The rains lashed central and north coastal parts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday.
"Heavy rain accompanied by thunder and lightning killed 11 persons in three districts of Andhra Pradesh," a disaster management official said. "Six deaths were reported from Guntur district, while as five from Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts."
The deaths were caused after victims were hit by cloudburst and lightning.
Reports said the rains accompanied by squall also damaged paddy and mango crops.
Meteorological department officials in the state have predicated coastal Andhra Pradesh and parts of Rayalaseema will experience thunderstorm with squally winds in the next 24 hours.
The sudden downpour halted normal life, uprooted trees and caused traffic jams at several areas, besides disrupting power supply.
Officials said efforts were underway to restore the power supply in the affected areas.
On Sunday 11 people were killed and eight injured after lightning struck them at different places in Bihar.
As per India's National Crime Records Bureau, over 2,000 people have died in lightning strikes in India every year since 2005.
