By SANTOSH MOHANTY
The eastern Indian state, Odisha, which is prone to cyclones, is also vulnerable to lightning strikes due its tropical features. As Odisha's climate is hot and humid, thunderstorms occur frequently during monsoon. This has acquired the status of a natural disaster equivalenet to cyclones in the state which has been ravaged a number of cylonic storms like Phailin, fani and a Super Cyclone in 1999. Statistics show that most of the deaths have occurred in the state due to lightning in the recent years. The farmers and daily laborers who work in the open air are the obvious victims.
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Despite tragic loss of lives, the state government is yet to come out with a plan of action to deal with the situation. The government machinery has allegedly failed to live upto the preparedness to tackle the menace and successfully conduct awareness campaigns to put across the message to the public that thunderstorms are deadly most of the time. They should, therefore, take precautionary measures before going out for work during lightning strikes.
A large part of Odisha is now experiencing lightning strikes during monsoon like it did during hailstorms in the summer. There has been ever increasing threat to the populace and particularly that section of the community who are agricultural workers or peasants toiling day in and day out in open paddy fields. During thundershowers it is virually impossible for the farmers to hide themselves in a safe place to escape from the wrath of lightning. Their immediate choice is a nearby mango orchard or big trees with huge canopies to save them from lashing rain and thunder. But, little do they know that they invite danger for themselves while taking shelter beneath the trees. Poor farmers do not have the idea that lightning usually hits the tallest in the area surrounded by paddy fields. The tall trees are prone to thunderbolts. The farmers become direct victim of the lightning as they have taken shelter under trees during thundershowers.
Despite a large number of deaths due to lightning strikes in Odisha, the government has allegedly failed to take up awareness measures to educate the agrarian community for taking precautionary steps to keep them safe during monsoon and summer seasons when there regions experience torrential rain accompanied by thunders.
The industrial districts of Angul and Dhenkanal in Odisha have bore the brunt of thunderbolts as 100 lives were lost in the past five years. This trend is likely to increase, voluntary workers who work in the forest ranges of theses districts said and added that lack of awareness campaigns by the district administrations has further exposed the people to danger.
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| Palm trees are ecofriendly and acts as natural shields to lightning strikes |
Divisional Forest Officer, Dhenkanal, Sumit Kar said as many as eighty thousand palm trees have been planted around reserved forest areas which will act as natural shield for the people from lightning strikes living close to the forest locations. He said palm trees are equally beneficial for the the people and the environment. The palm trees protect people from being hit by lightning and reserve forests get natural fence, Kar said and added that ripe palms are favourite food for the jumbos. The elephants move to villages and human habitations due to shortage of food in the forest. The palm trees will solve the problem to a great extent, the forest officer said.
Although palm trees act as natural shields for the people from thunderbolts, timber mafias are on the prowl in these districts who chop down these trees overnight to smuggle the logs outside the state. The mafias earn huge profit by selling the logs and planks to buyers and firms outside the state. Villagers in Bedasasan, Basala and Sabalbhanga in Angul district said that outside agents who secretly land in villages where large number of palm trees are available. They choose the dark of the night discuss and settle deals with the owners of the palm trees at a good price. The timber mafia engaged cutters to chop down the trees and smuggle the product out of the villages at the dead of night to evade interception by forest staff.
Like Dhenkanal forest division, Angul forest division officials have also started awareness campaigns in different part of the district to advise people not to chop down or destroy palm trees in the region as these trees are ecofriendly and acts as natural shields to lightning strikes.
Lightning Vs Climate Change:
It has now been established that global warming has something to do with lightning. According to scientific studies as the temperatures go up unexpectedly, this system increases the atmospheric moisture and this syndrome is associated with the climate change. Scientific studies further says that this is responsible for gailstorms that create lightning activities in the atmposhphere. The tropical condition of Odisha with heat, humidity and good part of its population working the fields during most of the seasons, are obviously exposed to this calamity. Recently reports said that Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand experience heavy lightning strikes during monsoon. And, the experts said this phenomenon is directly linked to climate change.Experts said even the Arctic regions are experiencing thunderbolts due to the change in climatic conditions.
Safety Measures To Escape From Lightning Strikes:
In this digital age one has to act smartly to stay away from danger. It is advised to stay updated on the latest weather report living in a particular area before going outside to the field or any work where there is little chance of being moved to a safe place if thundershowers occur. Almost everyone is equipped with mobile phones through which one can stay updated with the messages forwarded by government agencies from weather bureaus on the climating condition of a particular area on a daily basis. This should be the practice during monsoon. It is better to put off the work, if not pressing, to a future date if the weather report one receives through mobile devices, TVs, YouTube or any digital outlets that thundershowers are likely to occur in a particular area. One can safely avoid the unforeseen disaster by undertaking such simple measures. Don't think that you are safe at home. Even if you are inside a room, be sure not to use wired electronic devices. It is highly advisable to stay away from water taps, ponds, tall trees in the premises as these are carriers of lightning shocks and can be harmful most of the time if struck by thunderbolts. Doors and windows in a room are also vulnerable to lightning strikes, therefore, ensure to maintain a safe distance from these things. Avoid metal objectis which are kept inside the room. If one is on the road in a moving vehicle, then stop it and stay inside till the lightning strikes are over.
Do This If No Shelter Found:
Always keep in mind that never lie down on the ground to avoid being hit by lightning. It is a popular belief that lying down on the ground will keep you safe. But, this is a myth as this increases the risk of ground current injury. It is always better to squat or crouch down with your feet together to avoid being hit by lightning.
Awareness:
It is the responsibility of local administration, government and media outlets to spread awareness among the public on the topic. The government agencies should take measures for installation of early warning systems for forecast of such threat in a particular area. Volunteers should be trained to handle disasters in vulnerable areas and emergency services must be ensured to minimize the disaster. We must understand that lightning strikes are a natural phenomenon and the loss of life could be prevented with precautions.
The simple explanation is that if there is more heat, then discharge of more energy will result in the rise of tempearature. Scientific study says the more the air is warmer, the more it holds moisture and increases the chance of generation of stronger thunderbolts. Scientific studies say that the increase of electrical charge separation in clouds result in more frequent lightning strikes.
