Published on 23 Feb 2025
Lightning is a swift and intense release of electrical energy in the atmosphere, characterized by a natural and brief electrical discharge of high voltage either between the cloud and ground or within the clouds.
Vulnerability of India
Geographic Diversity: Lightning frequency is highest in northeastern states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar.
Example: Number of lightning-related deaths is higher in central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
High Incidence: India experiences a high frequency of lightning strikes, with over 2,000 deaths annually, making it one of the most lightning-prone countries in the world.
Example: In 2020, Odisha recorded a significant number of lightning strikes, leading to casualties and damage to property.
Effects of Lightning Strikes
Loss of human life: Between 2000 and 2021, over 49,000 have died from lightning strikes across the country (IMD).
Example: 77% of farmers are killed due to lightning as they work in agricultural fields during the Kharif cropping season in the monsoon period. (Annual Lightning Report 2020-21)
Impact on rural areas: Mainly, rural and forest areas are the most vulnerable due to lighting because of the presence of water bodies and tall trees
Example: Almost 96 percent of deaths occurred in rural areas due to lightning compared to the urban area. (Annual Lightning Report 2020-21)
Impact on tribal population: The Annual Lightning Report 2020-2021 has confirmed that 60-70 percent of deaths occurred in tribal populations due to lightning in Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, and other states.
Forest Fires: Lightning strikes can initiate forest fires, especially in regions with dense vegetation and dry conditions.
Example: In the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, lightning-induced forest fires can threaten unique and endangered species and disrupt delicate ecosystems.
Habitat Destruction: Lightning strikes can directly damage trees and vegetation, leading to habitat destruction for various wildlife species.
Economic losses like that of cultivated fields and buildings occur, infrastructure like communication networks, power plants and so on are often destructed by lightning events.
Challenges in Mitigations
Lack of Awareness: Many people, particularly in rural areas, lack knowledge about lightning safety measures, making them more vulnerable.
Example: In remote villages of Bihar, limited awareness about lightning safety means that people may not take adequate precautions during storms.
Inadequate Infrastructure: The absence of lightning protection systems in rural areas and insufficient surge protection in urban settings leaves people and property at risk.
Example: In rural Rajasthan, there is a lack of lightning rods on homes and schools, leaving them susceptible to lightning strikes.
Urban Planning Gaps: In rapidly growing urban areas, urban planning often overlooks lightning safety measures, leaving urban populations vulnerable.
Example: In parts of Delhi, unplanned urban expansion has resulted in densely populated areas without adequate lightning protection infrastructure.
Technological Challenges: Maintaining lightning detection and early warning systems require advanced technology, which can be challenging to implement in remote and resource-constrained regions.
Example: Hilly terrains of Uttarakhand.
Limited Coordination: Coordinating efforts between various government agencies, local authorities, and communities can be complex, leading to gaps in implementation.
No national-level policy to tackle lightning fatalities except for providing a lump-sum ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased person.
Government interventions
NDMA workshops: In pre- and post-monsoon season, NDMA conducts workshops with all stakeholders to discuss preparedness and mitigation measures for reducing the impact of thunderstorms & lightning, dissemination of early warnings at a local level, SOPs and so on.
Lightning Warning System: This system has a location-specific forecast up to 48 hours about the occurrence of thunderstorms, lightning, squally winds, gusty winds, hailstorms. ISRO is providing satellite information from INSAT-3DR about convective clouds, which is uploaded every 15 mins.
Example: Damini App monitors the lightning occurrence all over India and alerts the user of lightning near them by a GPS notification under 20 km and 40 km.
Lightning Resilient India Campaign: It is a joint initiative between several institutions, including the India Meteorological Department (IMD), NDRF, UNICEF, Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council, etc and aims to reduce the number of deaths lightning.
Way forward
Inclusion of lightning as a natural disaster: The Centre should include lightning as a “natural disaster” to minimise lightning-related deaths.
Frequency database of lightning strikes: A database related to the frequency of lightning strikes, gender-wise lightning deaths, and occupation-wise fatalities at the district, state and central levels for devising an action plan against lightning strikes.
Establish Lightning Protection Committees: Community-based committees can promote awareness and implement lightning safety measures.
Implement Lightning Safety Codes: Enforcing building codes that require lightning protection systems can reduce the risk of lightning-related damage.
Hazard mapping: States should undertake lightning micro-zonation for the regions depending on their geography to handle the disaster and death risks better.
Educational Campaigns: There is no national-level policy to tackle lightning fatalities except for providing a lump-sum ex-gratia to the kin of the deceased person.
Early Warning Systems: Implement advanced lightning detection networks and early warning systems that can provide timely alerts to communities and individuals, enabling them to take preventive measures during thunderstorms.
Lightning Resilient India Campaign: States should participate in Lightning Resilient India Campaign and undertake lightning risk management more comprehensively.
Training for First Responders: Train local emergency services and first responders on how to deal with lightning-related incidents and provide them with necessary equipment.
Best Practices
Lightning detection system: In the United Kingdom, the Met Office operates a lightning detection system that provides real-time data to authorities and the public, helping them stay informed and safe during lightning events.
Disaster Management
LIGHTNING STRIKES
Effects of Lightning Strikes
Challenges in Mitigation of lightning strikes
Government interventions
Best Practices in mitigating lightning strike
General Studies Paper 3
Disaster and Disaster Management
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