Odisha registers 31 pc decline in number of lightning deaths

Odisha has registered a decline in human casualty due to lightning by 31 per cent during 2018-19 following effective use of Early Warning Communication system (EWCS), a senior official said.

While 465 lightning deaths were recorded in Odisha during the year 2017-18, it came down to 320 in 2018-19 which is about 31 per cent decline in rate of human casualty, said Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi.

The SRC said 401 people died due to lightning in the year 2015-2016 and in 2016-17 the figure was 400, the SRC said.

Asked about the reason behind the decline in lightning deaths, Sethi said the office of the SRC and Odisha Disaster State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) has taken a number of steps to arrest the increasing trend of lightning deaths in the state.

The campaign includes making people aware about the lightning hazard and the safety measures for saving lives from such incidents.

A MoU have been signed between the Special Relief ...