New Delhi: Heavy rainfall in several parts of north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh resulted in the killing of at least 25 people in the last 24 hours, the Indo Asian News Agency reported on Monday.

House collapse and lightning HAVE caused most of the casualties amid reports that water levels are rising in all major rivers in the state.

Several districts including Lucknow, Noida, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Kanpur, Rampur, Agra and Aligarh have decided to close schools as per department issued warning of moderate to heavy rainfall in several parts of the state today.

Authorities asked people to remain indoors and advised avoiding crowded spaces and dilapidated buildings as some 400 villages in Balrampur district have been flooded.

Several fallen trees have caused power and water supply interruption and normal traffic disruption.

Helpline numbers were activated for people affected by rainfall related problems.