Inclement weather has killed at least 36 people in northern India in the past 24 hours, including 12 people killed by lightning, officials said, warning of heavier downpours in coming days, AP reported.

At least 24 people in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh were killed when houses collapsed due to incessant rains, relief commissioner Ranveer Prasad said.

Mohamed Usman, 15, was on his friend's roof in the town of Prayagraj when lightning struck Friday night, killing him instantly.

Officials said 39 people in the state have died from lightning strikes in the past five days, prompting authorities to issue new guidelines on how people can protect themselves during thunderstorms.

Lightning strikes are common during India's rainy season, which runs from June through September.