4 dead, 23 injured in lightning incidents

KATHMANDU: Five people lost their lives, and 43 others were injured in lightning incidents over the past month.

According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority, 44 lightning incidents were recorded across the country between mid-April and mid-May.

Earlier in March, the authority said 80 people lost their lives and 202 were injured in 236 lightning incidents in 11 months. The incidents caused a loss of property worth tens of millions of rupees, according to the authority.

In a recent incident on Monday evening, four individuals residing in the same house in Dailekh sustained injuries when the house was struck by lightning. The victims, identified as Paras BK (21), Hema BK (16), Purna BK (17), and Pushpa BK (20) from Lankuri in Dungeshwar Rural Municipality-2, were asleep when the incident occurred. They are receiving medical treatment at a local health facility.

Highlighting the increasing frequency of thunderstorms and lightning, meteorologist Govinda Jha urged the public to exercise caution. Jha said lightning incidents are likely in hilly areas of Bagmati, Koshi, Gandaki, and Karnali provinces on Tuesday. “The possibility of lightning remains high during the pre-monsoon period,” he added.

Anil Pokharel, CEO of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Authority, highlighted the inherent danger associated with lightning strikes, explaining that electric current discharge into the body can result in severe injury or even death. Pokharel advised individuals to seek shelter indoors as soon as they hear the sound of lightning.

The authority has issued a cautionary statement, advising people to remain vigilant as the risk of lightning strikes remains high for the next three to four months.