Lightning, a powerful and visible electrical phenomenon, has become a significant cause of fatalities in India each year. This concern has led to demands from states like Bihar and West Bengal to recognize lightning as a natural disaster. Despite these requests, the Union government has responded cautiously. If recognized as a natural disaster, victims will be eligible for compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), with 75% funded by the Central government. Currently, SDRF covers disasters including cyclones, droughts, earthquakes, fires, floods, tsunamis, hailstorms, landslides, avalanches, cloudbursts, pest attacks, frost, and cold waves, but not lightning.
The Current Scenario of Lightening in India
Lightning results from the buildup of electrical charges within and between clouds. When these charges are discharged, it causes a flash of light and a rapid expansion of air, resulting in thunder. Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is particularly dangerous due to its high voltage and current, which can electrocute people. India ranks among the top five countries with an early warning system for lightning, providing forecasts from five days up to three hours before its occurrence.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), lightning accounted for 2,880 deaths in 2021, making up 40% of all accidental deaths caused by “forces of nature.” An increasing trend in lightning-related fatalities is evident. Geographically, lightning frequency is highest in northeast states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar. However, lightning-related fatalities are more prevalent in central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. Notably, Bihar remains highly vulnerable to lightning strikes with a substantial number of deaths reported annually.
Union Government’s Stance on Lightning as a Natural Disaster
The Union government has shown resistance towards classifying lightning as a natural disaster, believing instead that education and awareness can effectively prevent lightning-related deaths.
Contributing Factors to the Increase in Lightning Strikes
Global warming and climate change potentially influence atmospheric conditions, leading to an increase in thunderstorms and consequently, lightning activity. As earth’s temperature rises, changes in the distribution of moisture, instability, and convective processes may favor more frequent lightning occurrences.
Urbanization contributes to the “urban heat island effect,” where cities are warmer than surrounding rural areas due to increased human activity, energy consumption, and impervious surfaces. These localized heat islands may lead to the formation of more thunderstorms, hence an increase in lightning strikes.
Deforestation, changes in agricultural practices, and alterations in natural landscapes can disrupt local atmospheric conditions, potentially leading to more lightning strikes. Similarly, air pollution, including aerosols and particulate matter, affects cloud formation and electrical activity within storms. Anthropogenic emissions might influence the frequency and intensity of thunderstorms, potentially resulting in more lightning strikes.
Recommendations for Mitigating Lightning-Related Dangers
Educational campaigns should be launched to raise awareness about lightning safety, focusing on rural areas. Lightning prediction and warning systems need development and implementation to provide advanced notice of lightning storms, allowing people to take necessary precautions.
Construction of lightning-resistant infrastructure in high-risk areas such as schools, hospitals, and public buildings is crucial. Such infrastructure could include installing lightning rods on tall structures and using surge protectors for electrical equipment.
First responders and local emergency services need training on dealing with lightning-related incidents, and necessary equipment should be provided for these situations.
