Lightning strikes from Monsoon storms have killed 56 people and scores of cattle in India.

At least 24 other people have been injured during the past 24 hours in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, with 14 districts affected.

The majority of the victims were farm labourers working in the fields, including at least eight shepherds watching their sheep.

Disaster management official Vyasji said that the death toll was expected to rise as reports come in from remote parts of the state.

India's monsoon season runs from June to September.