Experts are of the view that the increase in incidents of lightning strikes are owing to climate change. Punjab has seen an exponential 331% annual rise in such incidents while in Bihar — where 401 people lost their lives to lightning strikes during the year — recodes a 168% rise. Experts have found that a foreboding dimension of the rise in incidents of lightning strikes is their link to growing forest fires. However, India has made some progress to mitigate the adverse effects of lightning strikes. ALSO READ | Lightning strikes in north India: All you need to know about phenomenonMahapatra was of the view that even though fatalities from lightning strikes cannot be reduced to zero, their numbers can be decreased.

Source: Hindustan Times July 19, 2021 10:55 UTC