Bhubaneswar, May 2, 2018: Lightning has become a major disaster in Odisha
that claims more than 400 human lives on an average per year. And to reduce the
death toll, the State Government is all set to set up a lightning detection
system.
that claims more than 400 human lives on an average per year. And to reduce the
death toll, the State Government is all set to set up a lightning detection
system.
The Earth Networks, a USA based organisation, made a
presentation on “Total Lightning Based Early Warning System” before the Chief
Secretary AP Padhi in Odisha Secretariat on Tuesday.
presentation on “Total Lightning Based Early Warning System” before the Chief
Secretary AP Padhi in Odisha Secretariat on Tuesday.
The Regional Manager, Asia Region of Earth Networks,
explained the benefits received by establishing a lightning detection system
and proper alert system in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
explained the benefits received by establishing a lightning detection system
and proper alert system in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
He said through the above system, lightning strike can be
predicted about 45 minutes in advance and highly accurate forecasts can be
provided with precise location of the area likely to be affected.
predicted about 45 minutes in advance and highly accurate forecasts can be
provided with precise location of the area likely to be affected.
This will facilitate dissemination of early warning through
Mass Massaging and mobile-based application to the people of such localities
enabling them to take suitable precautionary measures to save their lives.
Mass Massaging and mobile-based application to the people of such localities
enabling them to take suitable precautionary measures to save their lives.
In comparison with other natural calamities that cause more
economic losses, the death toll due to lightning is much higher in Odisha.
economic losses, the death toll due to lightning is much higher in Odisha.
As many as 456 human lives have been lost during the year
2017-18 due to lightning, which records a 15 per cent increase over that in the last
year.
2017-18 due to lightning, which records a 15 per cent increase over that in the last
year.
Besides raising awareness among people about the disaster and
sharing safety tips, the state government is making all efforts to minimize the
death toll through appropriate technological interventions.
sharing safety tips, the state government is making all efforts to minimize the
death toll through appropriate technological interventions.
Among others, Additional Chief Secretary and the Development
Commissioner R. Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Finance Department Tuhin
Kanta Pandey and Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director, OSDMA Bishnupada
Sethi were present during the presentation.
Commissioner R. Balakrishnan, Principal Secretary, Finance Department Tuhin
Kanta Pandey and Special Relief Commissioner and Managing Director, OSDMA Bishnupada
Sethi were present during the presentation.
Senior level scientists and experts invited from reputed
institutions like IIT, Bhubaneswar, IISc, Bengaluru, NRSC, Hyderabad, ORSAC, IMD,
Bhubaneswar also attended the presentation and participated in the discussions.
institutions like IIT, Bhubaneswar, IISc, Bengaluru, NRSC, Hyderabad, ORSAC, IMD,
Bhubaneswar also attended the presentation and participated in the discussions.
Officials from Odisha State Disaster Management Authority and
Office of Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha were also present at the meeting.
Office of Special Relief Commissioner, Odisha were also present at the meeting.