Brief Context
Context As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, lightning was responsible for the highest number of deaths in 2023, accounting for 39.7% of the 6,444 deaths attributed to ‘forces of nature’. About In the last few years, lightning has emerged as a new climate challenge for India, which has seen a 400 per cent rise in lightning strikes from 2019-20 to 2024-25. Under lightning strikes, Madhya Pradesh (397), Bihar (345), Odisha (294), Uttar Pra
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Syllabus: GS3/ Disaster Management
Context
- As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, lightning was responsible for the highest number of deaths in 2023, accounting for 39.7% of the 6,444 deaths attributed to ‘forces of nature’.
About
- In the last few years, lightning has emerged as a new climate challenge for India, which has seen a 400 per cent rise in lightning strikes from 2019-20 to 2024-25.
- Under lightning strikes, Madhya Pradesh (397), Bihar (345), Odisha (294), Uttar Pradesh (287), and Jharkhand (194) were the biggest victim states/Union Territories (UTs).
- Disaster Management Act, 2005 defines “disaster” broadly but does not specifically list lightning as a centrally notified disaster.
- The union government has resisted demands to classify it as a disaster, arguing that most deaths could be prevented through public awareness and safety measures.
State/UT wise deaths due to forces of nature during 2023
What is lightning?
- Lightning is an electrical discharge between charged particles in a cloud and the ground.
- Although air normally acts as an electrical insulator, when the voltage reaches about 3 million volts per meter (V/m), the air’s insulating properties break down, allowing a powerful electric current to pass through.
- This results in a sudden release of energy, creating a bright flash and an associated sound wave (thunder).
Factors Responsible for Increased Incidents of Lightning in India
- Geographic and Climatic Conditions: Regions with high humidity, such as the eastern states and coastal areas, are more prone to thunderstorms and lightning.
- The topography, including the Himalayas and the Western Ghats, also influences the frequency of lightning.
- Monsoon Dynamics: The monsoon season, with its intense rainfall and convective activity, is a major driver of lightning in India.
- The convergence of moist air masses and the rising of warm, moist air during the monsoon season often lead to the formation of thunderstorms and lightning.
- Urbanization and Industrialization: Rapid urbanization and industrialization increase the number of artificial heat sources and aerosols in the atmosphere.
- These enhance convection and contribute to more frequent thunderstorms, thus increasing lightning incidents.
- Studies suggest that with every 1°C rise in temperature, there is an 8-10 percent rise in lightning strikes.
- Climate Change: Changes in global climate patterns are influencing local weather phenomena.
- Increased temperatures and changes in humidity levels alter storm dynamics, potentially leading to more frequent and intense lightning events.
- Agricultural Practices: The burning of agricultural residues and deforestation can contribute to the accumulation of particulates in the atmosphere.
- These particulates affect cloud formation and increase the likelihood of thunderstorms and lightning.
Government Initiatives
- CROPC (Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council) has developed India’s first Lightning Early Warning System, aimed at predicting lightning strikes and issuing alerts.
- The mobile app SACHET was launched to alert the public about imminent lightning hazards.
- In 2020, Damini Lightning apps were developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)-Pune.
Way Ahead
- Strengthening communication systems to ensure warnings reach vulnerable populations effectively.
- Training local authorities to act swiftly upon early warnings.
- Increasing public awareness about lightning safety measures, especially during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons.
- Improving ground-level implementation of NDMA protocols to minimize fatalities.
Source: DTE