Lightning as a Phenomenon

• 11 Apr 2025

Why in News? 

Severe weather conditions in Bihar led to multiple casualties, with lives lost due to lightning strikes and storm-related incidents. 

 Key Points 

• About Lightning: 
  • Lightning is a powerful and visible electrical phenomenon that takes place when there is a buildup of electrical charges within clouds and between clouds and the ground. 
    • The discharge of this electrical energy results in a brilliant flash of light and a rapid expansion of air, creating the characteristic thunder that accompanies lightning. 
    • Cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning is dangerous because it can electrocute people due to its high electric voltage and current. 
  • Strikes Earth’s Surface: 
    • The Earth is a good conductor of electricity. While electrically neutral, it is relatively positively charged compared to the middle layer of the cloud. As a result, an estimated 20-25% of the current flow is directed towards the Earth. 
      • It is this current flow that results in damage to life and property. 
    • Lightning has a greater probability of striking raised objects on the ground, such as trees or buildings. 
      • Lightning Conductor is a device used to protect buildings from the effect of lightning. A metallic rod, taller than the building, is installed in the walls of the building during its construction. 
    • The most lightning activity on Earth is seen on the shore of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela. 
      • At the place where the Catatumbo river falls into Lake Maracaibo, an average 260 storm days occur every year, and October sees 28 lightning flashes every minute - a phenomenon referred to as the Beacon of Maracaibo or the Everlasting Storm. 
  • India ranks among the five countries worldwide with an early warning system for lightning. 
  • The system provides forecasts ranging from five days to as close as three hours before the occurrence of lightning.  
• Geographical Distribution in India: 
  • Lightning frequency is highest in northeastern states and West Bengal, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Bihar. 
    • However, the number of lightning-related deaths is higher in central Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. 
  • Bihar is one of the most vulnerable states to lightning strikes, with a significant number of deaths reported annually. 
    • According to the Bihar Economic Survey (2024-25) report, Bihar witnessed 275 lightning or thunderstorm-related deaths in 2023