Central Idea
- A senior government official stated that lightning deaths can be prevented through education and awareness, and thus, the government is against declaring it a natural disaster.
Why discuss this?
- State Demands: States like Bihar and West Bengal have requested that lightning-related deaths be considered natural disaster, making victims eligible for compensation from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
- Increased fatalities: According to the National Crime Records Bureau, lightning caused 2,880 deaths in 2021, accounting for 40% of all accidental deaths from “forces of nature.”
What is Lightning?
Lightning is a rapid and powerful discharge of electricity in the atmosphere, often directed towards the Earth.
- Genesis: Lightning discharges occur in giant, moisture-bearing clouds that are several kilometers tall.
- Ice Crystal Formation: Water vapor in the clouds condenses into small ice crystals as temperatures drop below 0°C.
- Electron Release and Collision: Collisions between ice crystals generate a release of electrons, leading to a chain reaction and the formation of a positive and negative charge within the cloud.
- Types: Lightning can occur within clouds (inter-cloud and intra-cloud) or between the cloud and the ground (cloud-to-ground).
Intensity of Lightning Strikes
- Voltage and Amperage: A typical lightning flash can reach around 300 million volts and 30,000 amps, significantly higher than household current.
- Comparisons: Household current is 120 volts and 15 amps, highlighting the immense power of lightning.
Mitigating Lightning Incidents
- Early Warning System: India has established an early warning system for lightning, saving numerous lives.
- Focus on Rural Areas: Over 96% of lightning deaths occur in rural areas, necessitating mitigation and awareness programs targeted at these communities.
- Deployment of Protection Devices: Low-cost lightning protection devices need to be deployed more widely, especially in rural areas.
- Lightning Action Plans: States are encouraged to develop and implement lightning action plans, similar to heat action plans, to mitigate lightning-related risks.
- International Centre for Excellence: Efforts are underway to establish an international center for excellence in lightning research to enhance detection and early warning systems.
