The frequency of deadly lightning strikes in India is rising alarmingly, with nearly 1,900 fatalities recorded annually, according to scientists who link this increase to climate change. Researchers from Fakir Mohan University in Odisha revealed that between 1967 and 2020, lightning strikes caused 101,309 deaths across the country. Notably, there has been a sharp increase in fatalities from 2010 to 2020, underscoring the growing threat posed by lightning as a climate change-induced natural disaster.
The study, published in the international journal of Environment, Development and Sustainability, highlights that lightning activity in India has become increasingly unpredictable. While the research focused on the number of deaths rather than the exact number of strikes, the data reflects a significant rise in fatalities. The average annual death toll per state increased from 38 during the period of 1967 to 2002, to 61 between 2003 and 2020. This rise coincides with India’s rapid population growth, which has now reached 1.4 billion.
India’s June-September monsoon season, essential for replenishing the region’s water supplies, is also the period when lightning strikes are most common. However, the frequency of these strikes has been exacerbated by rising global temperatures, leading to more extreme weather events. Higher air temperatures result in increased water vapor, which, when cooled at high altitudes, generates electric charges that produce lightning.
The report also points out that the high death toll from lightning strikes in India is partly due to inadequate early warning systems and a lack of public awareness about how to minimize risks. Mass fatalities often occur when groups of people, such as farmers, seek shelter under trees during thunderstorms, making them more vulnerable to lightning strikes.
The data reveals a concerning upward trend in lightning-related deaths, with the last two decades showing the highest increases. The researchers describe this as an “alarming development” and stress the need for urgent policy changes to mitigate the impact of this growing threat. As extreme climate conditions continue to intensify, the situation is likely to worsen, necessitating improved early warning systems, public education, and other preventive measures to protect lives.
This rising incidence of lightning strikes in India underscores the broader challenges posed by climate change, particularly in densely populated regions where the impact of natural disasters can be devastating. The study calls for a concerted effort to address this issue, including better preparedness and more effective response strategies, to prevent further loss of life.
