Why lightning still kills so many Indians? Lightning strikes have caused 1,771 deaths between April 1, 2019 and March 31, 2020.
How can deaths be minimised? Every lightning strikes around a fixed period and almost similar geographical locations in similar patterns.
As per CROPC (Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council), early lightning warning to farmers, cattle grazers, children and people in open areas is the key.
Then a local lightning safety action plan, like installing Lightning Protection Devices, is also need to prevent deaths.
What is the impact of lightning? The Centre had increased compensation for victims of natural disaster to Rs 4 lakh in 2015.
In the last five years there were 13,994 fatalities, which bring the total compensation to around Rs 359 crore.
There have been phenomenal losses of animal life also from lightning strike.
