(Video) Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV) The Big Picture: Lightning Strikes & Climate Change

Topic: Lightning Strikes & Climate Change

Guest:

Dr. S. D. Pawar, (Scientist-F, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology)
Dr. Soma Sen Roy, (Scientist-F, India Meteorological Department)

Topic Description:

Lightning strikes have claimed more than 70 lives in the past 24 hours in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Just weeks ago, at least 27 people were killed in lightning strikes in several districts of West Bengal. Despite rapid advancement in technology, lightning strikes remain the most common reason for deaths by forces of nature. According to the last available statistics from the National Crime Records Bureau, there were 8,145 deaths in the country attributable to forces of nature in 2019. Of these, 35.3% deaths were reported due to ‘lightning’. While between April 2020 to March 2021, lightning strikes have killed 1,619 people, according to India's second annual Lightning Report. The report also says that there has been a 34% rise in lightning strikes in the country. And just 5 states - Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal and Jharkhand - have witnessed the maximum lightning strikes. What is causing an increase in lightning strike incidents in India? Why does it kill so many people and what can be done to minimize deaths caused by lightning strikes.