Public urged to stay indoors for lightning safety

Kathmandu, May 1: During the last one-year period (April 14, 2022 to April 13, 2023), 84 individuals lost their lives due to lightning strike across the country. In the 290 cases of lightning reported to the Nepal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) during the period, 238 others were injured and 428 families affected.

According to the NDRRMA, accompanied by heavy rain and storm, April to June is the peak season of lightning in Nepal. The data also shows that, after April 14, 2023, three individuals have died and 27 injured in 32 lightning incidents across the country till date.

Disaster experts argued that it was best not to look outside by opening doors and windows or come to railings or verandah when there is lightning. 

Talking to The Rising Nepal on several occasions, NDRRMA’s executive chief Anil Pokhrel said, "Lightning cannot be predicted easily. A lightning can strike at any time. Whenever the weather turns dark to welcome rain, staying indoors is the best safety measure."

Similarly, experts stressed that farmers were in major risks of getting struck by lightning as they work in the open even when the weather changed.

In a two-day span from 10 am on June 28 to 10 am on June 30 in 2022, over 19 lightning incidents were reported in which at least 10 individuals died. Among them, eight were either farmers working on the field or taking care of the cattle. Nevertheless, experts also informed that staying indoors alone was not safe enough.

According to the NDRRMA, safety measures while indoors include not having any contact with water (bathe or wash dishes) because lightning can travel through a building’s plumbing. Similarly, individuals are recommended to not use electronic equipment connected to an electrical outlet during heavy rain and lightning.

The public have also been suggested to install grounding system in their houses as it allows lightning strike to discharge into the ground.

According to our Phidim correspondent Narayan Tumbapo, a man was injured and 54 sheep dead by a lightning strike at a sheep farm in Ward No. 3 of Phalelung Rural Municipality of Panchthar district Friday night.

"Prem Rai, a 54-year-old worker in the farm, was injured. His legs and hands along with the right part of his body are paralysed. He has been sent for treatment. The lightning has also left 14 other sheep injured," said Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Hari Khatiwada of the Panchthar District Police Office.

Another man had also died in Ward No. 6 of Sidingba Rural Municipality of Taplejung district Friday night. Four individuals were also injured in Lamjung, Dailekh and Jajarkot districts on the same day.

Meanwhile, a woman died after being struck by lightning in Ward No. 2 of Khijidemba Rural Municipality in Okhaldhunga district when she was sitting inside her house Saturday afternoon.

According to Nepal Police Headquarters Daily Bulletin, the deceased has been identified as 57-year-old Devmaya Budhathoki. Severely injured Budhathoki died during the treatment.

On Saturday, three others were also injured in lightning strike in Panchthar and Jajarkot districts.

The weather forecast bulletin of the Meteorological Forecasting Division (MFD) from Sunday to Tuesday shows possibilities of lightning in all seven provinces of the country.

Authorities have requested the public to stay indoors and take preventive measures against lightning.