What is Lightning Strike?

Lightning is a natural electrical discharge that occurs between clouds or from a cloud to the ground. It starts in large clouds filled with moisture, where water vapor turns into ice crystals, releasing electrons and creating a charge imbalance. This leads to two main types of lightning: intercloud (within clouds) and cloud to ground, which is dangerous due to its high voltage. Causes of lightning include the separation of positive and negative charges within clouds and between clouds and the ground. Lightning strikes can have severe impacts, causing fatalities, injuries, property damage, and environmental destruction, especially through wildfires. The government is taking initiatives to improve disaster warning systems, educate people, and develop apps like Damini for lightning alerts. Understanding lightning and taking proactive measures can mitigate its risks and ensure safety during storms.

Lightning occurs when clouds become charged with electricity due to the collision of ice crystals. This buildup of electrical energy leads to lightning, which can be extremely powerful and dangerous. The article explains how lightning forms, its different types, causes, effects, safety measures, and government initiatives to mitigate its risks. It also highlights the increasing number of lightning-related fatalities and specific regions vulnerable to lightning strikes, emphasizing the importance of understanding and addressing this natural phenomenon.

Lightning strikes are natural phenomena that occur when a discharge of atmospheric electricity happens between clouds or between a cloud and the ground. While often awe-inspiring, they can also be extremely dangerous, causing fatalities, injuries, and damage to property. Understanding the causes, effects, and safety measures associated with lightning strikes is crucial for mitigating their impact.

It is the process of occurrence of a natural electrical discharge of very short duration and high voltage between a cloud and the ground or within a cloud. Lightning is a powerful release of electricity in the sky where Some of this electricity goes towards the Earth's surface.

How Lightning Strikes Happen?

• Lightning starts in big clouds full of moisture, which can be 10-12 kilometers tall.
• These clouds are about 1-2 kilometres above the ground, and their tops are even higher.
• The temperature at the top of these clouds is very cold, around minus 35 to minus 45 degrees Celsius.

Process of lightening:
Lightning starts when water vapor goes up into clouds and turns into ice crystals. As these crystals grow and fall, they create heat, pushing water molecules even higher. Meanwhile, smaller crystals keep moving up. When these crystals crash into each other, they release electrons, like sparks. This starts a chain reaction, making more electrons. This leaves the cloud with a positive charge on top and a negative charge in the middle. Then, different types of lightning can happen.

There are two main types of lightning:

1. Intercloud or Intracloud (IC) Lightning:
   • This type of lightning happens between clouds
   • It's visible but not harmful to us.
2. Cloud to Ground (CG) Lightning:
   • This type of lightning goes from a cloud to the ground.
   • It's dangerous because it can electrocute people or animals.
   • It happens for a very short time but with very high electric voltage.

Lightning is primarily caused by the buildup and discharge of electrical energy in the atmosphere. This buildup occurs due to the separation of positive and negative charges within clouds, and between clouds and the ground. When the charge difference becomes significant, it results in a sudden discharge, creating lightning.

1. Human Impact: Lightning strikes can cause fatalities and injuries to humans. The intense heat and electrical current can lead to cardiac arrest, burns, neurological damage, and other serious injuries.
2. Property Damage: Lightning strikes can damage buildings, vehicles, electrical equipment, and other structures. Fires can also result from lightning strikes, further exacerbating the damage.
3. Environmental Impact: Lightning strikes can trigger wildfires, particularly in dry and wooded areas. These wildfires can devastate ecosystems, destroy habitats, and pose significant risks to wildlife and human communities.

1. Stay Indoors: When thunderstorms are in the vicinity, the safest place to be is indoors. Seek shelter in a sturdy building or a fully enclosed vehicle with windows closed.
2. Avoid High Ground: Lightning tends to strike the tallest objects in an area. Avoid open fields, hilltops, and isolated trees during thunderstorms.
3. Stay Away from Water: Bodies of water are conductive, making them highly dangerous during thunderstorms. Avoid swimming, boating, or standing near water bodies during lightning activity.
4. Lightning Safety Inside: Unplug electrical appliances, avoid using corded phones, and stay away from windows and doors during thunderstorms to minimize the risk of lightning-related injuries indoors.
5. Wait for the All-Clear: Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before resuming outdoor activities. Lightning can strike even after a storm has passed, so it's essential to wait for the all-clear signals.

• In 2021, lightning caused 2,880 deaths, making up 40% of all accidental deaths due to natural forces.
• The number of lightning-related fatalities is increasing compared to other natural events.

• Lightning strikes are most frequent in northeastern states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar.
• However, central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha have higher numbers of lightning-related deaths.
• Bihar is particularly vulnerable, reporting a significant number of deaths each year. For instance, by July 6, 2023, Bihar had recorded 107 lightning-related deaths.

1. Odisha - 2018 : In July 2018, there was a significant lightning event in which 11 people died sue to lightning strikes across the state.
2. Jharkhand - 2019 : In September 2019, Jharkhand experienced 16 death due to lightning strikes.
3. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh - 2020 : In June 200, one of the deadliest lightning event was witnessed by Bihar and Uttar Pradesh that led to the death of over 100 people in the two states.
4. Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh - 2021 : In July 2021, around 68 people were killed by lightning strikes in the states of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
5. Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh - 2022 : In May 2022, during severe thunderstorms many states experienced lightning strikes leading to many deaths in these states.

• The Union government opposes classifying lightning as a natural disaster.
• They believe that educating people about lightning and raising awareness can effectively reduce lightning-related deaths.

Lightning Hotspots

• Researchers at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in Panama have uncovered that lightning strikes happen frequently in the tropics, with over 100 million strikes each year.
• Global Lightning Hotspots: Lightning hotspots are concentrated in various regions across the world, including Asia, South America, North America, Australia, and Africa.

Impact of Climate Change: Experts predict that lightning strikes could increase by 25–50% due to changes in the climate.

• District-Level Warnings and Coordination: In India, different groups manage systems that warn about disasters. These warnings use a scale from 1 to 5 and give alarms every three hours.
• National Disaster Management Authority: The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), led by the Prime Minister, is the top authority for dealing with disasters in India. It works with other organizations to make sure these warnings are given out effectively.
• School Safety Curriculum: Some states, like Odisha, teach students about lightning safety in schools. This helps students stay safe during storms.
• Damini App for Lightning Alerts: The Damini app, made by IITM-Pune and ESSO, tracks lightning in India. It sends alerts to people nearby if lightning is expected within 20km or 40km. These warnings can help save lives and property.

Lightning strikes are powerful natural phenomena with potentially devastating consequences. By understanding the causes, effects, and safety measures associated with lightning, individuals can take proactive steps to protect themselves and their communities during thunderstorms. Adhering to safety guidelines and staying informed about weather forecasts can significantly reduce the risk of lightning-related injuries and damage.