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Ecology & Environment
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19/08/24 10:44 AM IST

Odisha will plant 20 lakh palm trees for protection against lightning strikes

In News
  • Odisha has begun the plantation of 20 lakh palm trees to protect its population against injury or death due to lightning strikes, which were designated as a state-specific disaster in 2015.
Deaths in Odisha
  • A total of 3,790 people have lost their lives to lightning strikes in the last 11 years, with 791 alone in the previous three fiscal years due to the increased frequency of lightning strikes.
  • The state most notably recorded 61,000 lightning strikes in a two-hour interval on September 2, 2023, which killed at least 12 people.
  • The Special Relief Commissioner’s office said as many as 282 persons died in 2021-22 due to lightning strikes, 297 in 2022-23 and 212 in 2023-24.
  • Most lightning-related fatalities were reported from districts such as Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Balasore, Bhadrak, Ganjam, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Sundargarh, Koraput and Nabarangpur.
  • The state government has provided ex gratia of Rs 4 lakh for lightning deaths since 2015.
Lightning Strikes
  • Scientifically, lightning is a rapid and massive discharge of electricity in the atmosphere some of which is directed towards earth.
  • Odisha is an eastern coastal state situated in the tropical zone, with its hot, dry climate presenting the perfect blend of conditions for lightning strikes.
  • The highest number of cloud-to-lightning (CG) strikes occur in eastern and central India according to the Annual Lightning Report 2023-2024, published by the Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC) and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
Populations are at risk
  • With 96% of lightning strikes in rural areas, farmers and daily wage earners like agricultural labourers bear the brunt of lighting.
  • Over 80% of the Odisha population depend on agriculture and other allied activities, and work long hours in open fields, making them vulnerable to lightning strikes.
  • Although most lightning strikes occurred between April and October, most deaths were reported during the peak agriculture season between June and October.
Significance of Pal trees
  • Palm trees are uniquely suited to be lightning conductors because of their height among other trees.
  • They contain high moisture and sap, can absorb lightning and reduce its direct impact on the ground.
  • The Special Relief Commissioner’s office has approved Rs 7 crore for the proposed plan.
  • The state has banned the felling of existing palm trees and 19 lakh palm trees will initially be planted on the boundaries of the forests.
  • Experts have raised concerns about this proposal and demanded a more comprehensive and grounded strategy supported by proper data analysis.
  • A palm tree needs at least 15 to 20 years to attain a height of 20 feet. There are also concerns that some trees could catch fire after lightning strikes.
  • While Odisha has adopted an early warning system to forecast lightning strikes and disseminates the message through media and social media, critics have pointed out that exact predictions of lightning strikes cannot be made.
  • Widespread public awareness of the do’s and don’ts around a lightning strike is needed to educate residents in rural areas.
Source- Indian Express

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