LUCKNOW, India: Thirty-six people, including 12 struck by lightning, have been killed in northern India over the past 24 hours, officials report.

Homes collapsed across the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, killing at least 24 people, during non-stop rains, Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad said.

The Associated Press reported that Mohamed Usman, 15, had climbed atop his friend's roof in the city of Prayagraj when lightning struck Friday evening, killing him. His friend was injured and is being treated in a hospital.

"As soon as they set foot on the roof, they were hit by lightning and my son died," said Mohammad Ayub, Usman's father, as quoted by the Associated Press.

Further, state officials said 39 people have died from lightning strikes in the past five days. Meanwhile, new guidelines have been issued to protect the public from lightning.

It was noted that during the monsoon season, running from June to September, lightning storms are common.

India saw 1,489 deaths due to lightning in 2016, while 2,869 died in 2021.