Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning are common during summertime in Odisha. But the government remains worried about the loss of lives due to lightning in different parts of the state. It is one of the biggest killers as far as natural calamities are concerned. On record, as many as 1,621 people were killed due to lightning strikes in the state in the past four years. The government had paid compensation to the tune of Rs. 4 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased.
While tribal-dominated Mayurbhanj district recorded the highest number of lightning deaths at 161 during this period, Ganjam had 123, followed by Keonjhar (119) and Balasore (109). Seventy-three persons also sustained serious injuries after being struck by lightning.
Although it is not possible to prevent lightning, which is a meteorological phenomenon, the Naveen Patnaik government is trying its best to reduce the number of casualties. It has signed an agreement with Earth Networks and eight lightning detection sensors have been set up in Keonjhar, Balangir, Berhampur, Jeypore, Rourkela, Bhubaneswar and Panikoili so that people could be warned in advance about the possible occurrence of lightning. These sensors can predict lightning strikes within a range of 200 to 250 kilometers.
Odisha is not the only state reporting lightning casualties. According to the India Meteorological Department’s ‘Statement on Climate of India during 2021’, thunderstorms and lightning claimed 780 lives across the country. While Odisha reported heavy casualties, Madhya Pradesh recorded 156 deaths, followed by Bihar (89), Maharashtra (76), West Bengal (58), Jharkhand (54), Uttar Pradesh (49) and Rajasthan (48).
Being at the receiving end of this natural phenomenon, Odisha is in a state of constant alert during the summer and rainy seasons. The state had two radars – at Paradip and Gopalpur – and there was a plan to install radars at Sambalpur and Chandipur. This would facilitate area-specific lightning and thunderstorm warnings.
However, experts feel that the state needs to do much more on this front to reduce the number of deaths caused by lightning. And that efforts in this direction should be on the same level as those made by the government for rescue operations ahead of an imminent cyclonic storm.
According to some, the phenomenon of lightning is also related to global warming which has led to a significant rise in temperature and pollution levels across the planet. This has led to an increase in the severity of lightning strikes. Since Odisha has expertise in dealing with natural calamities, it is hoped that the state government will come up with special measures to contain the damage caused by lightning. One of the main components of the anti-lightning strategy might be the evacuation of people from vulnerable areas. But it all depends on timely warning. The state needs cutting-edge technology on this front in order to fight the curse of lightning successfully.
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