Lightning Risk in India

Loss of life and damage to property due to lightning are outside the ambit of disasterrelated relief and are not compensated by the National Calamity and Relief Funds. Assessment of lightning fatality figures and its comparison with other major natural disasters reveal that lightning ranks number one amongst the natural calamities in India (average 1,755 deaths per year). This number is much higher than those reported from elsewhere in the world. The geospatial distribution of lightning incidences and the 12 Indian states that have the most lightning casualties are identified.