Lightning strikes have increasingly become a deadly natural disaster in India, particularly for farmers. According to a 2024 study by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), between 1967 and 2020, lightning strikes resulted in 101,309 fatalities across the country. A 2023 statement by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in Lok Sabha confirmed that 96% of these deaths occur in rural areas, with 77% of victims being farmers or agricultural laborers.
Vulnerability of Farmers
Farmers in India are inherently at risk during thunderstorms because they often work in open fields, making them easy targets for lightning. Unlike urban environments, where people have access to buildings or other forms of shelter, rural areas often lack such facilities, leaving farmers exposed to natural elements. In Bihar, for example, three people from a single village tragically died in September 2024 due to lightning while working in the fields.
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In Araria district’s Raniganj block, these three individuals, including a mother-daughter duo, were killed while working in the fields. The victims were busy with farming activities—cutting grass and preparing crops—when a sudden thunderstorm occurred, leading to their tragic deaths. Alongside them, six goats also perished.
One survivor, Roshan, recounts how the sudden thunderstorm and ensuing lightning strike caught them off guard. “I was working when I felt a sharp jolt. The lightning threw me far, and I regained consciousness after half an hour. When I looked around, three people had already died,” he shared. His experience highlights the suddenness and unpredictability of lightning strikes in rural areas, where early warning systems may not be widely available or accessible.
Climate Hotspots and Growing Risk
India’s central states—particularly Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh—are identified as lightning hotspots. According to the Annual Lightning Report 2023-24 by the Climate Resilient Observing Systems Promotion Council (CROPC), these regions are especially prone to lightning strikes due to their geographic and climatic conditions. Bihar, in particular, ranks second in lightning fatalities but only 24th in flash density (the number of lightning flashes per unit area).
Farmers like Puran Rai, who work in these lightning-prone regions, face heightened risks. “We don’t get any warnings. Our mobile phones don’t receive alerts, and after the incident, only the leaders come by,” he laments, reflecting the communication gap in rural areas.
Preventive Measures
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) provides forecasts for thunderstorms and related phenomena, offering alerts ranging from five days to as little as three hours in advance. These warnings are disseminated through various channels, including mobile apps like MEGHDOOT and MAUSAM, and platforms like DAMINI, which track lightning strikes within a 40 km radius and predict possible future strikes.
However, the adoption of these technologies is limited in rural areas, where smartphone penetration is low, and many farmers like Roshan lack access to advanced warning systems. “No one informs us of the weather changes,” Roshan states, echoing a sentiment felt by many rural workers.
While Bihar has launched the Indravajra app to further enhance its lightning warning system, gaps in education and accessibility remain significant obstacles.
The Role of Climate Change
Experts believe that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of lightning strikes, thereby increasing the number of fatalities. Between 2010 and 2020, 29,804 deaths were recorded due to lightning strikes—a sharp increase compared to earlier decades.
Farmers like Dilip Kumar Rai, who has witnessed multiple thunderstorms over the years, points to the unpredictable weather patterns. “Earlier, there was enough time to take shelter before the rain and lightning struck. Now, everything happens suddenly, and there is no time to react.”
The rising number of lightning-related deaths among India’s farmers highlights the urgent need for improved warning systems, better accessibility to weather-related information, and enhanced awareness in rural areas. Until these measures are effectively implemented, the lives of farmers working in lightning-prone regions remain precariously at risk.
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