Lightning strike deaths in India

Odisha, facing a surge in lightning strikes, implements a palm tree planting initiative to mitigate casualties. Despite scepticism from experts, the state aims to protect rural communities through proactive measures

In Baba Abdu Nath village, Jammu and Kashmir, lives of Rafakat and Showkat, Gujjar pastoralists, are upended by a fatal lightning strike that claims lives of 30 goats, injures 15 sheep. Tragedy highlights financial strain due to inadequate compensation.

The alpine pastures in Jammu and Kashmir are picturesque – home to vibrant wildflowers and rare animals like the Hangul and Tibetan Antelope.

In 2022, lightning was leading natural cause of accidental deaths in India, accounting for 35.8% of the 8,060 fatalities. The NCRB disclosed these figures in its 56th annual report on Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India, released on December 1, 2023.

Over the weekend, Gujarat experienced a tragic event where 20 people lost their lives due to lightning strikes amid unseasonal rainfall.