Madhya Pradesh: 111 people die in lightning strikes in just 40 days

• Shubham
• 12 July, 2022

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By: Shubham Ghosh

LIGHTNING strikes have become a major concern in many parts of India and among them is the central state of Madhya Pradesh. Several areas of the state, including the capital city of Bhopal, have recently witnessed frequent lightning strikes that have resulted in death of 111 people in just 40 days, forcing the health department to issue guidelines for the public on how to avert lightning strikes and emergency services for those hit by lightning, storm and other disasters, India’s The Week reported.

Between July 4 and 10, as many as 70 people were injured while 160 cattle died in lightning strikes, the report added.

Pragya Tiwari, deputy director (disaster management) of Madhya Pradesh directorate of health services, came up with the guidelines for health officers and civil surgeons in all districts of the state, detailing the steps that need to be taken in case of lightning strikes and preventive measures that can be conveyed to the common people, The Week report said.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan tweeted a video by India’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on precautions needed to be taken against lightning.

मध्यप्रदेश में मानसून सक्रिय है और विभिन्न क्षेत्रों में बारिश हो रही है। ऐसे में आकाशीय बिजली से हादसे की आशंका रहती है। इससे बचाव का आसान उपाय इस रोचक वीडियो से @ndmaindia ने बताया है। प्राधिकरण को जागरूकता हेतु धन्यवाद।

ईश्वर सभी नागरिकों को सदैव सुरक्षित रखें। pic.twitter.com/mnYgVYaPcU

— Shivraj Singh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) July 11, 2022

“Monsoon is active in Madhya Pradesh and rainfall is being experienced in many areas. In such weather, there is apprehension of accidents due to lightning. Simple precautionary measures against lightning have been mentioned in this interesting video by NDMA,” Chouhan said in the tweet, thanking the authority for the initiative taken to create awareness.

Several parts of Madhya Pradesh have been experiencing heavy rainfall that are often accompanied by severe lightning over a long period of time. The weather office has been constantly warning of heavy rains, thundershowers and lightning episodes in different parts of the state.

Ved Prakash Singh, scientist with Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC), Bhopal, told The Week that as per casualties report maintained by the RMC, 111 deaths caused by lightning had been reported between June 1 and July 10. Of these, 47 happened between July 4 and 10.

Twelve lightning sensors, including one in Bhopal, have been put up across Madhya Pradesh to monitor the cases of lightning, Singh added.