Every day in India, about seven people die not in floods, not in heatwaves, but in lightning strikes. In 2023 alone, lightning killed 2,558 people, far more than any other natural hazard. Over the past six years, it has claimed nearly 17,000 lives, making it a silent but relentless killer that strikes hardest in rural fields and open spaces.
Over the past six years, the toll has stayed consistently high: 2,357 in 2018, 2,876 in 2019, 2,862 in 2020, 2,880 in 2021, and 2,887 in 2022. Lightning alone has accounted for 35 to 40 percent of all accidental deaths from natural forces during this period.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 2,558 lives were lost to lightning in 2023, making it the deadliest natural hazard in the country. The numbers highlight a growing threat that experts say is being fueled by climate change, rising pollution, and poor preparedness.
The NCRB’s report, Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India 2023, released on September 29, recorded a total of 6,444 deaths due to natural forces like lightning, floods, landslides, and extreme temperatures. Of these, lightning alone accounted for nearly 40 percent which is around 2,560 deaths. While the close competitors were deaths due to heat and sunstroke, followed second with 806 deaths. Exposure to cold killed 733, and floods took 266 live. Landslides and torrential rains claimed 239 and 61 lives respectively.
Most victims of lightning were between 30 and 60 years of age. This group made up nearly two-thirds of the deaths linked to natural disasters. Rural populations working outdoors remain particularly vulnerable.
Where lightning kills the most
Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of lightning deaths at 397, followed by Bihar with 345, Odisha with 294, Uttar Pradesh with 287, and Jharkhand with 194. In some smaller states and union territories, lightning accounted for almost all deaths due to natural forces. For instance, in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, all three natural disaster deaths were caused by lightning.
The data reflects a growing trend. Lightning activity in India has surged by nearly 400 percent between 2019-20 and 2024-25. Scientists link this increase to rising global and regional temperatures.
Professor Manoranjan Mishra, a lightning expert at Fakir Mohan University in Odisha, said central India is particularly at risk. “Extensive mining, deforestation, and aerosols contribute to lightning activity in the region. Combined with heating and moisture before the monsoon, this makes central India more vulnerable than the northeast or the south,” he told Ground Report. He added that most casualties occur in rural areas where people work outdoors.
Madhya Pradesh highlights the risks. Despite its flat terrain, which usually records fewer lightning strikes than hilly areas, the state’s dense population makes fatalities more likely. According to a study, the state has about 236 people per square kilometre, increasing exposure to danger.
Dr. Sunita Verma, Associate Professor at Banaras Hindu University, explained, “The high casualties in Madhya Pradesh are due to the lack of an effective early warning system and unsafe sheltering practices among the rural populace, particularly farmers. Most fatalities occur when individuals seek refuge under trees during thunderstorms, not realizing the increased risk.”
She added that frequent cumulonimbus cloud formation and the absence of strong public awareness campaigns contribute to the high toll. “The government needs robust mitigation strategies, including timely warnings and accessible educational campaigns, especially in rural and vulnerable areas,” Dr. Verma said.
Saurabh Kumar, a disaster management official in the state, said authorities are using information from the India Meteorological Department to issue alerts. “We have implemented an alert system including SMS notifications and the Common Alerting Protocol. This ensures that district authorities and the public receive warnings promptly,” he said.
Climate change & pollution key drivers
Experts point to climate change and pollution as key drivers. According to a study published in the journal ‘Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics’ in 2021 warn that climate change will make lightning more frequent and more dangerous.
Another report suggests a 12 percent rise in lightning strikes for every 1°C increase in global temperature. With India already experiencing more intense heat and higher moisture in the air, scientists say the threat is likely to grow. Pollution also plays a role, with aerosols increasing lightning activity around urban and industrial centers.
Mishra noted that while India has tools like the Damini app, which provides warnings about lightning, these are often not accessible to the most at-risk communities. “Many rural families do not own smartphones. We need physical outreach, community shelters, and education on recognizing warning signs,” he said.
Lack in Awareness
Despite repeated demands, lightning is still not classified as a national disaster. In February 2024, Biju Janata Dal MP Manas Ranjan Mangaraj raised the issue in Parliament, urging the government to include lightning-related deaths under the State Disaster Response Fund. The Union government rejected the demand, stating that deaths could be prevented through awareness.
Some experts argue that such recognition is crucial. “Declaring lightning a national disaster would bring more resources and attention to the issue,” Mishra said. He suggested updating building codes to include affordable lightning protection systems and creating detailed vulnerability maps at the district level.
Global examples show that effective campaigns can save lives. In South Africa, repurposed cargo containers are used as lightning-safe shelters. Public awareness slogans like “When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors” have also reduced casualties in several countries.
In India, Odisha has seen more accurate recording of lightning deaths since it began offering compensation to victims’ families. The state reported 1,351 deaths due to natural forces in 2023, the highest in the country. Officials say better data helps in designing responses, but reducing casualties requires stronger action.
Mishra emphasized that achieving zero lightning deaths is possible with targeted action. “We need to reach the last mile, the farmers, the grazers, the outdoor workers, who are most at risk. Without that, the numbers will continue to rise,” he said.
As climate change fuels more lightning strikes and states like Madhya Pradesh bear the brunt, the debate continues over whether India is doing enough to confront this growing challenge. The question now is whether the government will prioritize prevention and safety measures before the toll climbs further.
“We need safe shelters “
Experts from various countries have proposed other solutions. Chandima Gomes, a professor of high-voltage engineering at the University of Witwatersrand in South Africa, suggests using repurposed materials like cargo containers as “safe shelters.” Some countries have effective public awareness campaigns and slogans like “When Thunders Roars, Go Indoors!’ have reduced lightning deaths.
Ground Report previously reported on the impact of lightning strikes in Jammu and Kashmir, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, highlighting the administration’s inaction.
