Nabarangpur: There were over seven lakh lightning strikes in Odisha from 2019 to 2023 while Nabarangpur district registering the highest number of casualties with 56 deaths, District Collector Kamal Lochan Mishra said at a press conference at the Ashok Mehta conference hall here Tuesday.
A total of 17 persons suffered injuries due to lightning, Mishra added. The collector pointed out that only awareness regarding the dangers associated with lightnings can prevent the loss of human lives and domestic animals.
Mishra pointed out that the majority of the deaths could have been avoided if people had taken proper precautions. According to a survey this district experienced 6,448 lightning strikes in 2019, 16,957 in 2020, 12,752 in 2021 and 10,215 in 2022.
Mishra said the district administration will regularly conduct awareness campaigns on lightning strikes. He stated that information plaque and boards will be put up at various intersections and crowded places to provide information to people.
Mishra said that during lightning and thunderstorms people inside the house should not stand on wet places or sit close to the wall. They should stay away from the electric switch boards and mobile phones during the period.
Similarly, people who are outside should never take shelter under trees or utility poles. He said people outside during lightning and storms should sit down with hands clamping their ears as it would help in fending off the danger to a great extent.
Mishra informed that schools in the district have been asked to conduct classes once a week on the dangers that come with lightning and the means to avoid those.
He said efforts are being made to sensitise people on how to protect themselves from lightning and thunderstorms.
PNN