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In 2022, lightning was the leading natural cause of accidental deaths in India, accounting for 35.8% of the 8,060 fatalities. The National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) disclosed these figures in its 56th annual report on Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, released on December 1, 2023.
Heatstroke was responsible for 9.1% of deaths due to natural forces, while exposure to cold accounted for 8.9%. The majority of victims fell within two age brackets: 32.1% were over 60 years old, and 23.7% were between 30 and 45 years old.
Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand were the most affected states, with the highest number of deaths attributed to lightning.
Out of the total deaths caused by natural forces, 670 (8.3%) occurred in India’s 53 megacities.
Overall, the NCRB reported 3,97,530 accidental deaths in 2022, with various contributing factors. The 30-45 age group saw the highest number of casualties, totaling 1,32,846.
The report aims to analyze data on tragic incidents to identify trends, patterns, and contributing factors. It was compiled with contributions from police departments across states and Union Territories, as well as directors of State Crime Records Bureaus and Crime Investigation Departments.
lightning-related casualties
According to data from the meteorological department, the year 2021 witnessed a staggering 2,880 deaths due to lightning strikes across the country.
Statistics reveal a worrying upward trajectory in lightning-related casualties, with 2021 being one of the deadliest years on record. Experts attribute this increase to several factors, including changes in weather patterns, climate variability, and population density.
Lightning strikes in India are a significant concern, with reports indicating a rise in both frequency and intensity.
Kiren Rijiju, Minister of Earth Sciences, told the Lok Sabha that lightning strikes had caused the deaths of nearly 2,880 people in various states of the country in 2021.
Every year from 2019-2022, a minimum of 2,800 people died. In 2020, the number of deaths due to lightning reached 2,862, while in 2019, the figure increased to 2,876.
In 2021, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of casualties (496), followed by Bihar (287). Despite causing thousands of casualties, lightning is not listed as a notified disaster under the National Disaster Response Fund.
"The minister said, 'Presently, the notified list of disasters eligible for National Disaster Response Fund / State Disaster Response Fund assistance includes 12 disasters namely cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloud burst, pest attack and frost & cold wave.'"
Lightening strike deaths in India
| Year | Lightning Deaths |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 1,472 |
| 2001 | 1,507 |
| 2002 | 1,383 |
| 2003 | 1,792 |
| 2004 | 1,842 |
| 2005 | 2,064 |
| 2006 | 2,387 |
| 2007 | 2,790 |
| 2008 | 2,553 |
| 2009 | 2,113 |
| 2010 | 2,622 |
| 2011 | 2,550 |
| 2012 | 2,263 |
| 2013 | 2,833 |
| 2014 | 2,582 |
| 2015 | 2,641 |
| 2016 | 3,315 |
| 2017 | 2,885 |
| 2018 | 2,357 |
| 2019 | 2,876 |
| 2020 | 2,862 |
| 2021 | 2,880 |
Rising lightning strikes in India
Lightning strikes in India are a significant concern, with reports indicating a rise in both frequency and intensity.
Scientists from various institutes highlighted the vulnerability of parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh to lightning strikes. They identified Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Orissa as the states with the highest annual lightning-related fatalities between 1998 and 2013.
Studies suggest that climate change may play a role in increasing lightning frequencies and intensities. Rising temperatures and changing atmospheric stability contribute to the formation of thunderstorms and lightning.
The India Meteorological Department initiated lightning forecasts in 2019, but addressing this concern and protecting public safety requires more research and state-specific risk management strategies.
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