last year during this period, 36 people were dead and 37 were injured due to lightning strikes (July 31, 2016) in Odisha. This year too, it has happened exactly during the same period. 17 people were struck dead by lightning as a thunderstorm raged in the coastal districts of Kendrapada, Ganjam and Bhadrak and Bhubaneswar.
From April 1 to June 23, Odisha had recorded 155 deaths due to lightning. Since last year, the State Government listed lightning as State-specific disaster enabling the victims to get Rs 4 lakh as compensation as per the Odisha Relief Code.
Minute particles are to be blamed for the increase in the number of thunderstorms hitting different parts of Odisha. The amount of aerosol has increased in the air, which is why lightning strikes are more frequent now- a -days. As thunderstorms are most common during the March- July period and are usually the most powerful in the afternoon, people - particularly those who work in open spaces -need to be aware of this and stay indoors for a couple of hours when a storm happens.
People in urban areas are vulnerable to lightning as most buildings do not have a lightning prevention system, even though it is mandatory under the Indian Building Code. Some old buildings have lightning rods or objects to divert lightning strikes, but most of the new buildings do not have such an arrangement. Moreover, the meteorological office should initiate very short-range weather forecasting using the ‘nowcasting’ method. People should get updates every hour when a thunderstorm occurs. The meteorological office has a good radar coverage; they can use it for ‘nowcasting’ and help people stay safe.
In Odisha, there has been an alarming rise in deaths caused by lightning strikes in recent years. But yet the Government has failed to devise an effective plan to help reduce the risk. People are happy to get Rs 4 lakh in case of death of a relative, so also the ruling party for keeping the vote bank intact! It is high time to take some significant initiatives to reduce lightning-related deaths in Odisha.
The Government can play a strategic role, not only by planting palm trees across the State but also by increasing priority based budget on the disaster management including lightning strikes and the authorities have to provide thunderstorm forecasting and lightning information in time to the concerned community through the meteorological office and through the relevant private sectors by using lightning detection system.
Satellite TV channels must telecast documentaries and short films regarding the lightning strikes highlighting the dangers of lightning for human life and property, and what should be done during and after lightning strikes. Furthermore, more research-based activities are essential for reducing extreme vulnerabilities to lightning strikes in a poor State like Odisha.
Rising global temperatures over the last century are driving a range of changing weather phenomenon, including stronger tropical cyclones, thunderstorms, floods, droughts, and heat waves. The increased numbers of lightning strikes may be due to global warming. Scientists say warmer conditions associated with climate change are causing more water evaporation from the land and the ocean, increasing clouds and rainfall and the potential for lightning storms.
Some experts attribute the rise in fatal lightning strikes to the country’s population growth and deforestation, which has led to disappearance of many tall trees that earlier would have acted as shields against lightning strikes. Moreover, frequent use of metal farm equipment in open fields, using cell phone during the thunderstorms, standing near metal cell phone towers or electrical power towers, taking shelter under trees during electrical storms, and so on are also responsible for increase in lightning-related deaths in Odisha.
Stay off corded phones, computers, and other electrical equipment that put you in direct contact with electricity. Avoid plumbing, including sinks, baths, and faucets. Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches. Do not lie on concrete floors, and do not lean against concrete walls. And wait until 30 minutes after a storm passes before going outside because a charge can linger in the air.
Moreover, experts have suggested the following long-term and short-term plans to be safe from lightening:
The Government should impose ban on cutting all kinds of tall trees in the villages and sub-urban areas. Initiatives should be taken to plant more and more tall trees like palm and coconuts.
Creating awareness on the lightning safety by organizing trainings, seminars, etc., at the union level.
lightening safety guidelines should be included in the children’s curriculum starting from the primary schools.
lightening safety measures should be publicized through television, radios, and theaters.
Area-specific lightning forecast from the meteorological department can be disseminated by emails, websites, and mobile sms.
Every building should install the lightning protection system to save it from mechanical destruction caused by lightning effects.
Sports persons should avoid going for match practice or participating in sports during rain and thunderstorms which may result in death or lightning burns or other neurological problems at a later age. Better to avoid going out of a car when it’s raining with thunderstorm. Car is a very safe place during lightening.