Compiled by G Padmanabhan Resource Person and Nupur Arora, Research Associate, 27 August 2008 :According to the Royal Aeronautical Society, annually worldwide there are 24,000 lightning deaths and 240,000 injuries.
Some of these injuries have serious consequences, including neurological damage and life long physical handicaps. Lightning strikes can also result in major damage to structures and livelihoods, amounting to severe economic losses. Recognizing that lightning risk reduction is an imperative issue, members shared a range of insightful responses to the query seeking experiences on lightning risk reduction initiatives.
Discussants shared various experiences with lightning risk reduction initiatives in Maharashtra . In Satara and Ahmednagar districts, the state government with support from the Government of India (GoI)-UNDP Disaster Risk Management Programme has taken the initiative of installing lightening arresters at vulnerable sites across the district. They also initiated mass awareness campaigns, increasing preparedness levels of communities. Similarly, in Morigaon district, the district administration after identifying the vulnerable areas based on a history of lightening strikes intensified their awareness generation programmes on lightening. Additionally, in Kolahpur district, the administration installed lightening arresters at high points to protect large areas of the district.
Members opined that combating the menace posed by lightning and reducing risks requires a multi-pronged approach, and identified four key broad areas that need attention:
Awareness generation at the community level through mass media- For example, the National Disaster Management Authority has taken a lead in propagating the disaster preparedness measures through TV ads, street plays, newspapers, wall paintings, radio, etc. and is generating mass awareness among all sections.
· Forecasting mechanisms need to be identified with the help of the Indian Meteorology Department, Department of Science and Technology, the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), organizations, which have pioneered setting up local level automatic weather stations with remote sensing applications.
· Prevention through the integration of lightening arresters into the plan of buildings- add this requirement to building byelaws, and have the local authorities enforce it
· Preparedness efforts to raise awareness and to train public health service providers, Panchayat representatives, ASHAs, Anganwadi workers, NGO staff, individuals from Community Based Organization, Boy Scouts and Girl Guides, staff of NCCs, and community members on first aid
Discussing the location of lightning arrestors, respondents made several recommendations. They noted that in crowded areas vulnerable to lightning strikes, it is advisable to place arrestors on public buildings. In the open spaces, discussants recommend erecting cement poles, tapered at the top and with lightening arresters. They also commented that many army and ammunition vehicles have flexible chains touching the ground, which ‘ground’ any charge received while moving, enabling the electrical charge to pass into the ground. Further, it is necessary to install insulated arresters about two feet above the top of the driver’s cabin.
In addition, discussants mentioned that using the roofs of high-rise residential buildings as installations for phone/cable signal towers increases lightening risk. Therefore, they suggested educating building residents on the risk and not allowing the installation of signal towers to on residential rooftops.
Respondents also suggested documenting the country’s traditional knowledge and coping mechanisms for lightening. They recommended involving specialized agencies/institutions working on remote sensing, geomagnetism, geological survey, and weather forecasting to share information on the physical conditions favoring lightening. Then, based on this knowledge, they suggested devising different communication strategies to address the unique needs of different vulnerable communities.
Commenting on existing policies and standards, members quoted the Bureau of Indian Standards code that outlines the general and technical aspects of dealing with lightning, which illustrate the principal electrical, thermal and mechanical effects. It also explains how to assess the risk of being struck by lightening and offers methods for deciding if a particular structure is in need of protection.
Discussants also opined that the National and the various state Disaster Management Authorities have an essential role to play in initiating lightning risk reduction initiatives at the state and national level. They suggested Authorities formulate special guidelines for district administration and include damage from lightening strikes into the Calamity Relief Fund; so victims can receive relief.
Highlighting the importance of sensitizing the public on the lightning preparedness, respondents listed steps to avoid casualty:
· Do:
o Be cautious, when you hear thunder, go inside and stay inside
o Stay away from fireplaces, radiators, stoves, metal pipes, sinks, water and phones during a storm
o Get out of a tractor or lawn mower and move to shelter
o Go to the lowest possible area, if there is not shelter/building available
o Avoid trees
o If on top of a mountain, go to the lowest point possible and sit on coiled ropes, a camping mattress or any insulated items
· Don’t:
o Use electrical appliances, telephone and metal objects During a storm
o Get out of car on the road