Lightning Deaths Rise As Early Warning Apps Fail To Serve: Study

LIGHTNING detection and early warning mechanisms like Damini, Sachet and Mausam have failed to make a positive impact in curbing deaths due to the calamity due to lack of effective outreach, relaying timely alerts to the common people, a new study has concluded.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @Bhubaneswar

The study findings came on Friday when the state recorded at least 13 lightning deaths in six districts. The study conducted under the lightning monitoring awareness programme of Fakir Mohan University found 48 human fatalities and 86 cattle deaths during March-May period, which is around 18 per cent (pc) of Odisha's average annual lightning-related fatalities.

Koraput reported the highest 13 deaths, followed by seven from Mayurbhanj, six each from Ganjam and Nabarangpur, four from Rayagada, three each from Angul, Balasore, Bargarh and Sundargarh, two each from Puri, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi and Balangir.