With the monsoon, lightning is again proving fatal in North and Central India. In the last 24 hours, 13 people, including children and farmers, died due to lightning in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. Of these, 6 deaths were recorded in Bihar, 4 in Uttar Pradesh and 3 in Jharkhand. According to data presented in Parliament, more than 2,800 people died due to lightning across the country in 2025 and about 2,500 in 2024. Every year on an average 2,500-3,000 people lose their lives due to it. However, the Government of India does not consider deaths due to lightning as a natural disaster. Many states are demanding to declare it a natural disaster from 2023, but it has not been accepted till now.
13 deaths in Bihar, UP and Jharkhand
Bihar (6 deaths): Farmers planting and working in the fields in rural areas of Gaya, Aurangabad and Kaimur districts became victims of sudden lightning.
Uttar Pradesh (4 deaths): Amid the sudden thunderstorm in parts of Purvanchal and Bundelkhand, villagers who took shelter under trees were struck by lightning.
Jharkhand (3 deaths): Shepherds and children who were grazing cattle in the plateau areas of Santhal Pargana and Chhotanagpur were affected.
‘Lightning’ is more deadly than flood and storm
According to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, lightning alone accounts for 35% to 40% of the total deaths due to natural disasters and ‘nature’s fury’ in India. This is the reason why every year more people die due to lightning than many other natural disasters like floods, storms, heat waves and landslides. On an average, every year in the country, more than 2,000 to 2,500 people die due to lightning. The biggest victims of these incidents are farmers, agricultural laborers, shepherds and people working under the open sky living in rural areas, because during monsoon they stay in open fields for long periods.
Why doesn’t the government consider lightning as a natural disaster?
1. Government’s argument: Deaths can be prevented through awareness
The central government says that lightning is not a widespread disaster like cyclone or earthquake, but a local and short-term phenomenon. The government says that most of the deaths can be prevented by early warning system, weather alerts and awareness, so there is no need to declare it a national disaster. The Disaster Management Ministry believes that if people avoid going to open fields or under trees during bad weather, then the loss of life can be reduced to a great extent.
2. The issue has also been raised in Parliament
In the year 2024, MP V.K. Srikandan had raised the demand to include deaths due to lightning in the category of natural disaster through a private member bill in the Lok Sabha. The bill proposed compensation and rehabilitation by making a separate law for death, injury and property damage due to lightning. The bill proposed compensation of at least Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin in case of death due to lightning, job to one dependent, free treatment of the injured, rehabilitation and compensation for loss of crops, livestock and property. However, during the parliamentary discussion, the central government reiterated its previous stand and refused to declare it a national disaster.
3. Financial burden is also a big reason
If lightning is declared a national disaster, the central government will have to bear the bulk of the compensation under the rules of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). This share is 75% in normal states and up to 90% in north-eastern states. This means that the Central Government will have to bear huge expenses every year on compensation, rehabilitation and compensation for thousands of victims. It was also estimated in the financial memorandum of the Private Member’s Bill that this system could entail an annual expenditure of around Rs 1,000 crore and a one-time expenditure of Rs 5,000 crore.
4. Expenses may increase by hundreds of crores of rupees every year
Every year thousands of people in the country get hit by lightning. If it gets the status of national disaster, apart from deaths, compensation will also have to be paid for livestock and crop losses. This may put an additional financial burden of hundreds of crores of rupees on the central government every year.
How can one be protected from lightning?
1. Reach a safe place as soon as you hear thunder
If you hear thunder or see a glow in the sky, immediately go to a permanent house or closed place. Do not stop at open fields, fields, rooftops and high places.
2. Stay away from trees, electric poles and metal objects
It is not safe to stand under a tree during rain. Apart from this, maintain distance from electric poles, iron fences, tractors, bikes, bicycles and other metal objects, because there can be electric current in them.
3. Be careful even inside the house
Do not use electrical appliances like wired phone, TV, computer, refrigerator during lightning. Also avoid contact with taps, showers or water, as electricity can also spread through pipes.
4. Do this if you get stuck in the open
If it is not possible to reach a safe place, then instead of lying directly on the ground, bend down with both legs folded and keep the head between the knees. This can reduce the effect of electric current. Do not make the mistake of taking shelter under any tree or tall object.
5. Don’t ignore weather warnings
Keep an eye on Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) warnings and lightning alert apps like Damini. As soon as you receive the alert, immediately leave the fields, rivers, ponds and open areas and reach a safe place. Go out in the open again at least 30 minutes after the lightning.
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