High winds and heavy rain have battered India's western state of Gujarat this week, causing floods and forcing thousands of people from their homes. Local media say at least 28 people have died.

The rains have been caused by a tropical system off the coast of Gujarat and weather officials predict the system will intensify. Authorities say more than 18,000 people have been evacuated from cities near the coast since Sunday.

Rescue operations are underway, including the distribution of bottled water and food to those stranded by rising waters, but the efforts have been hampered by the sheer scale of the flooding.

Gujarat state has been repeatedly hit by extreme heat and flooding this year, with global warming likely a contributing factor. Temperatures in some areas exceeded 45 degrees Celsius during summer heatwaves.