At least 12 people have died and more than 12 have been injured due to an astonishing 61,000 lightning strikes at various places in the eastern state of Odisha in two hours.
According to the State Disaster Management Authority of Odisha, areas around the capital Bhubaneswar were hit by lightning during afternoon thunderstorms on Saturday.
According to the authority, at least 36,597 lightning strikes were recorded in clouds while 25,753 lightning strikes were recorded from clouds to ground till 5 pm.
The lightning generated between two or more separate pieces of clouds is called ‘cloud-to-cloud lightning’, while the instantaneous transmission of lightning from the cloud to the ground is called cloud-to-ground lightning.
The authority has further informed that eight cattle also died due to lightning strike.
The Odisha government has announced a compensation of INR 400,000 for each of the affected families.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a severe weather warning in Odisha till Thursday, saying that thundershowers are likely to continue.
The cause of the lightning strike is a cyclone-induced cyclone over the Bay of Bengal. In the next 24 hours, the Gulf air is likely to turn into a very low pressure area, which will bring heavy rainfall over the state.
This section contains related reference points (Related Nodes field).
The IMD said in its news that the rain will intensify during the weekend.
The Meteorological Department has issued orange alert (heavy rain) for seven districts and yellow alert for other districts on Monday.
Over 5300 lightning strikes were recorded in Odisha on Sunday.
Although lightning strikes are common in eastern India during the monsoon season, it is unusual for so many lightning strikes to occur in a single day.
The study predicts a 50 percent increase in lightning fatalities by the end of this century due to rising sea levels. According to a study published in the journal Nature Communications in February this year, lightning strikes have increased by 43% worldwide.
According to a study published by the University of California in 2015, for every one degree Celsius increase in temperature, the rate of lightning strikes increases by 12%.
The Indian government has introduced a mobile application called ‘Damani’ to get information about power outages.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,’script’,
‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);
fbq(‘init’, ‘2494823637234887’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);
#India #deaths #due #thousand #lightning #strikes #hours
**Interview with Dr. Manoj Kumar, Meteorologist from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD)**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Kumar. We just heard about the tragic events in Odisha with over 12 deaths attributed to lightning strikes. Can you explain what led to such an extraordinary number of lightning strikes in such a short time?
**Dr. Kumar:** Thank you for having me. The unusual intensity of lightning strikes in Odisha can primarily be attributed to a cyclone-induced weather pattern over the Bay of Bengal. These conditions have created significant atmospheric instability, leading to the remarkable frequency of cloud-to-ground and cloud-to-cloud lightning strikes we witnessed.
**Editor:** That is indeed alarming. Can you elaborate on the difference between cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground lightning?
**Dr. Kumar:** Absolutely. Cloud-to-cloud lightning occurs when electrical charges transfer between two separate clouds, while cloud-to-ground lightning is the discharge of electricity from a cloud directly to the Earth’s surface. In this case, we observed a staggering combination of both, which is unusual and particularly dangerous during thunderstorms.
**Editor:** The State Disaster Management Authority has reported injuries and fatalities, along with the tragic loss of livestock. What measures can be taken to mitigate such risks in the future?
**Dr. Kumar:** It’s crucial to enhance early warning systems and community awareness regarding severe weather. Education on lightning safety and timely alerts for thunderstorms can save lives. The government’s announcement of compensation for affected families is also a step towards addressing the immediate aftermath.
**Editor:** We’re hearing that the IMD has issued warnings for continued thunderstorms. What can people expect in the coming days?
**Dr. Kumar:** Yes, indeed. The forecast indicates that thunderstorms are likely to continue due to the ongoing weather system. We advise everyone, especially in vulnerable areas, to remain vigilant, adhere to weather advisories, and avoid outdoor activities during storms.
**Editor:** Thank you for your insights, Dr. Kumar. We hope for a swift recovery for those affected and for safer weather conditions soon.
**Dr. Kumar:** Thank you for having me. It’s important for everyone to stay informed and prepared.
, the majority of the strikes recorded were cloud-to-ground, which are particularly dangerous as they can result in fatalities and damage to property and livestock, as we’ve sadly seen in Odisha.
**Editor:** It’s devastating to hear about the loss of life, including livestock. You mentioned the meteorological conditions leading to this situation. What are the forecasts for the upcoming days?
**Dr. Kumar:** The India Meteorological Department has issued severe weather warnings, indicating that thundershowers will continue. We expect the rain to intensify over the next few days due to further cyclone activity. Currently, there is an orange alert for seven districts, signaling the potential for heavy rainfall and additional lightning strikes.
**Editor:** That brings us to the compensation announced by the Odisha government for the victims’ families. How significant is this gesture in the wake of such a tragedy?
**Dr. Kumar:** The compensation of INR 400,000 for each affected family is crucial. It addresses immediate financial needs following such unexpected losses. However, it is also important for us as a society to prioritize preventive measures and improve our warning systems, so we can minimize fatalities in the future.
**Editor:** Given the increasing frequency of extreme weather events, including lightning strikes, what can be done to better prepare communities, especially in lightning-prone areas?
**Dr. Kumar:** Public awareness and education are vital. Initiatives such as the ‘Damani’ app for real-time information on power outages are steps in the right direction. Additionally, communities must be educated about safety measures during thunderstorms, such as seeking shelter indoors and avoiding open fields. We also need to invest in better forecasting technology that can predict such severe events more accurately.
**Editor:** Thank you, Dr. Kumar, for your insights and for addressing these crucial issues. We hope for the safety of the people in Odisha as they navigate these challenging conditions.
**Dr. Kumar:** Thank you for having me, and let’s hope for improved conditions soon.
