Odisha lightning catastrophe: 62,350 strikes in 3 hours, 12 fatalities

Odisha experienced a staggering 62,350 lightning strikes and tragically, 12 lives were lost within a mere three-hour span on Saturday afternoon. Concerns are growing that the rise in lightning incidents could be attributed to climate change induced by global warming.

This natural catastrophe has left the state reeling, prompting authorities to issue warnings of continued extreme weather conditions until September 7, as per the India Meteorology Department (IMD).

The grim toll of the lightning strikes, which occurred across the state in a span of two hours, resulted in the loss of 12 lives, leaving an additional 14 individuals injured, as confirmed by Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Satyabrata Sahu. Lightning even claimed the lives of eight cattle in two districts, adding to the distress.

Fortunately, on the following day, the state recorded 3,240 lightning strikes by 3:15 pm, but no casualties were reported. However, the threat persists, as a cyclonic circulation over the Bay of Bengal is anticipated to intensify into a low-pressure area within the next 48 hours, promising widespread rain across Odisha.

IMD's bulletin forecasts an escalation in rainfall intensity later in the week, prompting the issuance of a "yellow warning for heavy rainfall" across most districts until September 7.

"Ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh will be paid to each of the bereaved families," Sahu said.  "Lightning has become a common occurrence because of intense heat and high moisture content in the air, caused by advancing air from the Bay of Bengal,” Sahu added. He further added, “intense heat waves coupled with other climatic changes have intensified lightning strikes in Orissa.  A sudden flow of moisture from Bengal has led to the (recent) increase in lightning strikes in Odisha.”