TAG: GS-3: DISASTER MANAGEMENT
THE CONTEXT: With the frequency and severity of lightning strikes increasing globally due to climate change, the number of lightning deaths in India has increased significantly.
EXPLANATION:
What is Lightning?
- Lightning is a powerful and visible electrical phenomenon that occurs when there is a buildup of electrical charges within clouds and between clouds and the ground.
- The discharge of this electrical energy results in a brilliant flash of light and a rapid expansion of air, creating the characteristic thunder that accompanies lightning.
- Lightning strikes occur when electrical charges build up in a cloud beyond the air’s resistance.
There are two main types of lightning:
1. Intercloud or Intracloud (IC) Lightning:
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- This type of lightning happens between clouds
- It’s visible but not harmful to us.
2. Cloud to Ground (CG) Lightning:
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- 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.
- Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is dangerous because it can electrocute people due to its high electric voltage and current.
What are the impacts of lightning?
- Loss of life- It is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in India.
- As per National Crime Records Bureau, 2,876 people died due to lightning strikes in 2019.
- Health effects– It can cause burns, wounds, tissue damage, scarring, cataracts, hearing loss, broken bones, and muscle pains.
- It can affect the brain and nervous system, leading to brain damage, memory loss, coma, stroke and seizures.
- It can cause heart disorder which may lead to respiratory arrest.
- Psychological effects– It can cause behavioural changes, emotional distress, anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and phobias.
- Environmental impacts– Lightning can cause fires, power outages, damage to buildings and structures, and ozone depletion.
- Loss of biodiversity– It can cause forest fires, which can destroy the habitats and food sources of many animals.
What are the Factors Behind the Increasing Trend of Lightning Strikes?
- Climate Change:Global warming and climate change could potentially influence atmospheric conditions, leading to an increase in thunderstorms and lightning activity.
- It can also produce nitrogen oxides that fertilize the soil and oceans and trigger chemical reactions that create ozone.
- Increased air temperatures and atmospheric moisture, linked to greenhouse gases, lead to more thunderstorms and lightning.
- Pollution and Aerosols:Air pollution, including aerosols and particulate matter, can affect cloud formation and electrical activity within storms.
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- Anthropogenic emissions might influence the frequency and intensity of thunderstorms, potentially leading to more lightning strikes.
- Urbanization:The expansion of urban areas can create what is known as the “urban heat island effect.”
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- Cities tend to be warmer than surrounding rural areas due to increased human activity, energy consumption, and impervious surfaces.
- These localized heat islands may lead to the formation of more thunderstorms and, consequently, an increase in lightning strikes.
- Land Use Changes:Deforestation, changes in agricultural practices, and alterations of natural landscapes may disrupt local atmospheric conditions.
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- Such changes might contribute to the development of thunderstorms and, consequently, more lightning.
What is the situation of lightning in India?
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Data: In 2021, lightning accounted for 2,880 deaths, comprising 40% of all accidental deaths caused by “forces of nature.”
- Lightning frequency is highest in northeastern states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar.
- However, the number of lightning-related deaths is higher in central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
- Bihar is one of the most vulnerable states to lightning strikes, with a significant number of deaths reported annually.
- In 2023, till July 6, Bihar recorded 107 deaths due to lightning.
Government’s Steps taken to prevent Lightning:
- Early warning systems and mobile apps (DAMINI, RAIN ALARM, MAUSAM, UMANG, MEGHDOOT) provide alerts about potential lightning strikes.
- The NDMA has launched a campaign to raise awareness about lightning safety among the people.
- The 30-30 rule advises people to take shelter if they hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning.
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