Lightning Council

Cyclone Nisarga 3-4 June 2020 in Arabian Sea -Lightning surge along Konkan, Maharashtra , Gujarat Coasts and Madhya Pradesh (SW) risks inherent , Call for Lightning safety precautions to be followed

Arabian sea embraces Cyclone Nisarga just preceding South West Monsoon bringing huge rains with high speed wind, storm surge and lightning flashes . The landfall is expected by afternoon of 03 June 2020 in between Harihareshwar and Daman ner Alibaug. Howver,the peripheral clouds have started lashing Maharashtra coasts along Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Mumbai, Thane , Alibaug, Palghar, Daman, Surat with high wind, rains and Lightning . The latest satellite picture shown intense lightning flashes over its center and 250-300 kilometers along its periphery as is visible in the satellite picture of INSAT 3D as well as heavy rain in Mumbai Radar picture below effecting right upto Telangana, SW Madhya Pradesh etc. :-

Cyclone carries multihazard risks of due to combined effect of Very high speed winds and extremely heavy rain and high tides maximum , in case of Nisarga its upto 5-6 meters high that is height of a two storyed buildings causing flood in areas adjoining coasts/ports/ beaches. Lightning is an inherent part of any cyclone and it causes upto 20% casualty due to it. Risk of lightning magnifies the damage as the cyclone ravaged people go roof less. Lightning displays unique characteristic with high percentage of Inter cloud flashes hitting ground in the form of blaze which is highly damaging. The Cyclone shelters must be checked for serviceability of Lightning arresters installed in Sunderban areas of 24 Parganas South and North, East Midnapur and coastal areas of Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Balosore and surroundings .

Lightning threat date and area wise is as given below:-

*Date*	*Areas expecting Lightning*		*Thretened structures*
*03 June 2020*
*Maharashtra – Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Greater Mumbai, Thane, Alibaug, Daman, Palghar, Pune , Satara etc*		*People in open, tall tree, sea coast, river and ponds, ports, high electric pole/towers, open field, thatched and tin roofed huts*
*Daman, South Gujarat – Surat, Valsad, Bharuch, Vadidara,*
*04 June 2020*
*Maharashtra – Aurangabad, Nashik, Ahmednagar, Vidarbha , Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri, Greater Mumbai, Thane, Alibaug, Daman, Palghar, Pune , Satara etc*			*People in open, tall tree, sea coast, river and ponds, ports, high electric pole/towers, open field, thatched and tin roofed huts*
*Daman, South Gujarat – Surat, Valsad, Bharuch, Vadidara,*
*South West Madhya Pradesh - Barwani , Khargone, Betul,Dhar, East Nimar, Dewas, Indore etc.*

Salient precautions during Cyclone Nisarga from 03-04 June 2020 against lightning as follows :-

1. People must stay indoor

2. No fishing,boating and activities in sea or at beach

3. People must take shelter in pucca houses.

4. Cyclone Shelters must check serviceability of Lightning arresters

5. No one to stay at Verandah of Cyclone shelter

6. No one to stay under tall tree, electric poles or towers .

7. Doors and windows must remain closed during cyclone on 03-04 June Night to avoid hit by lateral strikes

Precautions is safety.

Stay indoor, stay safe .

Col Sanjay Srivastava

Chairman, Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC)

New Delhi, Dated 03 June 2020

Cyclone Amphan - Lightning risks inherent must be disseminated and Lightning safety inside Cyclone Shelters must be ensure

As Cyclone Amphan advances towards its peak and landfall, the satellite observations today morning and evening have shown intense lightning flashes over its center and 200-300 kilometers along its periphery.

If you observe latest position of Cyclone Amphan, the picture represents intense lightning activities from its center to the peripheral areas, atleast upto 300 kilometers. ,

Cyclone carries multihazard risks of due to combined effect of Very high speed winds and extremely heavy rain and high tides maximum upto 12-13 meters high that is height of a three storyed buildings causing flood in areas adjoining coasts/ports/beaches.

Lightning is an inherent part of any cyclone and it causes upto 20% casualty due to it. Risk of lightning magnifies the damage as the cyclone ravaged people go roof less. Lightning displays unique characteristic with high percentage of Inter cloud flashes hitting ground in the form of blaze which is highly damaging. The Cyclone shelters must be checked for serviceability of Lightning arresters installed in Sunderban areas of 24 Parganas South and North, East Midnapur and coastal areas of Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Balosore and surroundings .

During Cyclone Fani in May 2019, Odisha had zero dath due to lightning. However, Uttar Pradesh and Bangladesh had incurred severe fatalities . This year , Im hopeful, state Governments of Odisha, West Bengal , Jharkhand, Tripura, Meghalaya and Bangladesh will ensure adequate precautions against lightning during Cyclon Amphan .

Lightning threat date and area wise is as given below:-

*Date*	*Areas expecting Lightning*	*Thretened structures*
*19 May 2020*
*Andhra Pradesh – Vishakhapatnam, Vijaynagaram,* *Srikakulam*		*People in open, tall tree, sea coast, river and ponds, ports, high electric pole/towers, open field, thatched and tin roofed huts*
*Odisha- Coastal areas from Ichhapuram to Balasore,* *Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj*
*West Bengal – Digha, Sunderban , Sagar, PATHER* *Protima, Boikhali , Kakdip in 24 Pargana* *South, 24 Parganas North and East Midnapore*
*20 May 2020*
*West Bengal – Digha, Sunderban , Sagar, PATHER* *Protima, Boikhali , Kakdip in 24 Pargana South,* *24 Parganas North and East Midnapore, Hughli etc*		*People in open, tall tree, sea coast, river and ponds, ports, high electric pole/towers, open field, thatched and tin roofed huts*
*Odisha- Coastal areas from Ganjam, Bhadrak, Puri,* *Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack, Jagatsinhpur,* *Balasore, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj*
*Jharkhand – East & West Singhbhum, Dhanbad Dumka,* *Bokaro*
*Bihar – Southern Bihar*
*21 May 2020*
*West Bengal – Digha, Sunderban , Sagar, PATHER* *Protima, Boikhali , Kakdip in 24 Pargana South,* *24 Parganas North and East Midnapore, Hughli etc*		*People in open, tall tree, sea coast, river and ponds, ports, high electric pole/towers, open field, thatched and tin roofed huts*
*Bangladesh- South Bangladesh is going to be worst hit*
*Meghalaya. Tripura and Mizoram may get remnant impact*

Salient precautions during Cyclone Amphan from 19-21 May 2020 against lightning as follows :-

1. People must stay indoor

2. No fishing,boating and activities in sea or at beach

3. People must take shelter in pucca houses.

4. Cyclone Shelters must check serviceability of Lightning arresters

5. No one to stay at Verandah of Cyclone shelter

6. No one to stay under tall tree, electric poles or towers .

7. Doors and windows must remain closed during cyclone on 20-21 Night to avoid hit by lateral strikes

Precations is safety.

Stay indoor, stay safe .

Col Sanjay Srivastava

Convener

Lightning Resilient India Campaign

19 May 2020 at 1:25 AM

Kalbaishakhi Bulletin (Nor'wester or Bordoisila) by Lightning Resilient India Campaign

Lightning has intensified with onset of Kalbaishakhi . Kalbaishakhi a commonly known as curse of Baisakh in Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand , Bihar is also known as Nor'wester in meteorology or Bordoisila in Assam/Bangladesh. With more than 16 lakhs lightning strikes , other than traditional region of North East and coastal areas, Uttar Pradesh has surfaced as new spike in lightning. Main reason could be the frequesnt western disturbances affecting West and central Uttar Pradesh followed by Easterlies converging at purvanchal/central part of India.When the entire country is fighting a bigger disaster COVID19 Pandemic and country has already lost more than 779 life till date due to this , there has been traditional weather extremes like heat wave ,lightning stepping in. So far during last two months that is 21 February 2020 to till date, lightning has snatched more than 200 lifes in few states like Uttar Pradsh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand , Nagaland, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat. In the midst of CORONA chaos, even forecast bout such hazards are finding to reach community or information about fatalities in far rural areas are unable to reach us. At this testing times, Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council and India Met Department , Ministry of Earth Science, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, National Remote Sensing Center, ISRO, IAF are committed to generate best and credible Lightning forecast.. We jointly are here to assist and address disaster management authorities as well as community in creating awareness, education and creating lightning safe zones so that the fatalities are minimized.

Multi-hazard handling and management capabilities is the order of the day. Disaster Management authorities need to enhance their capabilities in terms of technology, human resource and outreach to community.In the history of mankind, probably this is the most challenging time for Disaster Management Authority, Governments and citizens. At this time, CROPC offers its services to augment the mult-ihazard disaster handling capability by offering skilled human resource, operationalise Emergency Operation Center, technological solutions and logistics support in last mile delivery. On the recommendations of CROPC, Government has made Business Continuity as integral part of all organisations . We offer our solutions not only in case of lightning but also for other disasters like COVID19, Heat wave, Flood and other hazards.With multidimensional aspects of virus, even our water management to monsoon preparations need more focused reliable work to prevent any upsurge in hazards during forthcoming monsoon.Authorities at National, state and district as well as corporate can avail our services. CROPC is committed to help and turn the tide of the Kalbaishakhi - from month of curse to month of opportunities, now and beyond too. Here goes our Kalbaishakhi Bulletin..

SW Monsoon 2019 Lightning Report - Unique campaign to address climate change extremity "Lightning" - collective effort saves 1200 plus life - Full Report

Lightning is no more the biggest Killer . The rise in lightning frequencies and intensity continues but focussed approach reduces fatalities. . Lightning Resilient India Campaign 2019 latest SW Monsoon Report reveals that India , during South West Monsoon 2019 recorded more 90,62,546 strikes from 01 April 2019 to 30 September 2019 with Odisha and Madhya Pradesh registering 11 lakhs plus strikes during the same period. Despite significant lightning across the country in all 37 states, lightning deaths numbers have come down from 3000 plus fatalities in 2018 to 1771 in 2019 - a reduction in number of fatalities by 1200 plus .

Its pertinent to mention that in India, Lightning kills more people than other disasters like flood, drought or earthquake etc. cumulatively as is evident from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report/ NDMA Guidelines on Lightning.The rising trend of lightning has increased the fatalities too which for 2018 can be estimated to more than 3000 .

Its also pertinent to mention that the Lightning in no more the biggest killer . The collective efforts during last 08 months in year 2019 has confirmed that Lightning deaths are 100% avoidable provided there is focused approach. Collective efforts of Lightning Resilient India Campaign not only brings down the fatalities by more than 40 % but also brings Lightning fatalities to No 2 position as compared to other natural disasters like Flood with 2391 fatalities in 2019 at No1.

Mr Nitya Nand Rai , Honble MoS , Home has confirmed that the flood in 2019 claimed 2391 life which has difference of 620 with 1771 fatalities due to Lightning . (https://skystatement.com/2391-died-over-8-lakh-houses-were-damaged-during-2019-monsoon-minister/)

Lightning Resilient India Campaign 2019-2021 was launched on 26 march 2019 at IIT Delhi with an aim to reduce Lightning deaths by 80% in next 03 years. We had state, district and village level active campaigning by lakhs of volunteers, supported by state governments, CSOs, community and media . Within a period of 08 months, there is an apparent reduction in fatalities by more than 40%. As per norms of SDRF , the next of kin of each fatal victim is paid Rs 4 lakhs as compensation by Government – thus for 1200 fatalities, its a direct saving of compensation amount of Rs. 4000 lakhs. This is huge saving to exchequer and the money can be used in developmental activities .

Dr M Rajeevan Nair, Secretary , Ministry of Earth Science applauded the efforts of Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council ( CROPC) and India Meteorological Department and has assured all support to the Lightning Resilient India Campaign. Dr. M. Mohapatra , Director General, India Meteorological Department (IMD) congratulated CROPC for the achievement while releasing “ SW Monsoon Lightning Report 2019” at a two days National Symposium on Lightning at Vrishti Auditorium , Mausam Bhawan Complex at New Delhi on 07 November 2019 . Dr. Mohapatra highlighted that Lightning Resilient India Campaign firstly addresses immediate need to stop deaths due to Lightning forthwith by comprehensive actions and the campaign had major accomplishments viz. (1)Enhanced understanding of the risk (lightning) by community, (ii) Early Warning upto Last Mile, (iii) Long term approach for climate Change adaptation to enhance environmental health, green cover, water and reduce heat. emission and pollution and (iv) National Research Programme including mapping the lightning strikes vis-à-vis its impact – unique of its kind. Enthralled by the success, I Col Sanjay Srivastava, Convener of the Lightning Resilient India Campaign 2019-2021 thank the patrons Dr. K.J. Ramesh, Former DG IMD , Mr. P.P. Shrivastav, IAS (Retd), Mr. Anil Kumar Sinha , IAS (Retd), Prof S.K. Dash, President India Meteorologists Society, Dr. Akhilesh Gupta , Scientist G and Head SPLICE, Department of Science and Technology, Prof. A.K. Gosain , IIT Delhi, Dr. Nivedita P. Haran, IAS(Retd) SCDR, JNU , Dr, VS Prakash, Founder Director Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Center (KSNDMC), Dr Aditi Kapoor , Regional Advisor IFRC and Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), Mr Thomas Cherian of World Vision India, Mr MK Dash of IVN and all state Governments and CSOs for their support . Its my privilege to applaud our Volunteers – the heart and soul of the campaign. The success has been due to them. Im indeed greatful to media for giving a huge coverage and carrying the Lightning upto community . All India Radio, Doordarshan, Discovery , BBC and other TV National and local channels, National and regional newspapers like Indian Express, Hindu, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Hindustan, Prabhat Khabar, Dainik Bhaskar, Shillong Times, AB Patrika, Manorama and so many for rendering phenomenal support . All the events, research , IEC materials and knowledge have been show cased at our website www.lightningcouncil.com and www.cropc.in .

As I share the SW Monsoon 2019 Lightning Report through this blog, I would like to apprise that we plan for a National Lightning Conference in first week of April 2020 at New Delhi with our new motto now - Lightning deaths are avoidable..Lets stride for and let there be Zero Deaths due to Lightning . I appeal all to join us more vigorously in our journey.

SW Monsoon 2019 Lightning Report - Unique campaign to address climate change extremity "Lightning" - collective effort saves 1200 plus life - Full Report