Jhapa, 20 May: Despite the installation of radar systems in Udayapur, Palpa, and Surkhet districts designed to provide lightning warnings an hour in advance, all three systems are currently out of order and non-operational.
According to recent data, 237 people have lost their lives and 908 have been injured due to lightning strikes in Nepal over the past four years. The regions from Jhapa in Koshi Province to Kanchanpur in Sudurpaschim, and from Humla in Karnali to Dhanusha in Madhesh Province, remain at high risk of lightning.
Roshni Kumari Shrestha, Joint Secretary at the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), shared that Jhapa, Udayapur, and Makwanpur districts are among the most lightning-prone areas in the country. From Shrawan 1, 2078 BS to Jestha 5, 2082 BS, Nepal recorded 1,118 lightning incidents, affecting 1,607 families. She noted that Nepal ranks fifth globally in terms of disaster risk from lightning.
“Houses, animal sheds, and tall towers are commonly struck. Ordinary citizens, especially those engaged in agriculture during the monsoon, are the most affected,” said Shrestha.
Lightning strikes occur most frequently in Koshi Province, while Lumbini Province records the highest human and physical damages, she added. In the past four years, Koshi Province experienced 295 lightning incidents, affecting 366 homes, killing 51 people, injuring 84 others, and causing an estimated Rs. 16.04 million in property losses. Additionally, 420 livestock animals died due to lightning.
In Lumbini Province, 180 incidents were recorded, resulting in 54 deaths, 165 injuries, and damage worth Rs. 30.49 million. Around 276 families were affected, and 98 livestock perished.
Lightning fatalities in other provinces over the last four years include:
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35 deaths in Sudurpaschim,
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27 in Madhesh,
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25 in Bagmati,
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24 in Gandaki, and
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21 in Karnali.
In terms of injuries:
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Karnali Province saw 207 people injured,
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Sudurpaschim 158,
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Gandaki 84,
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Bagmati 82, and
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Madhesh 28.
According to Dr. Madan Sigdel, Associate Professor at the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology at Tribhuvan University, lightning is the second leading cause of disaster-related deaths and damages in Nepal. He explained that lightning incidents are more frequent during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods, from March to July, due to unstable atmospheric conditions.
Dr. Sigdel stated that Nepal’s unique geography—ranging from the Himalayas to the plains—contributes to the high frequency of lightning strikes.
“While lightning itself cannot be prevented, up to 80% of the resulting damage can be minimized through awareness and preparedness,” he said.
He stressed that the lack of public awareness and technological preparedness is why Nepal faces more severe human and property losses compared to developed countries. A recent survey revealed that 80% of lightning-related deaths occurred when working individuals were outdoors. He believes many of these incidents are preventable.
The study also showed that lightning mostly occurs after midday during the monsoon, coinciding with times when people are working in the fields, collecting firewood, or grazing cattle—activities that increase exposure. If such tasks are completed before noon and people avoid open spaces during thunderstorms, casualties can be greatly reduced.
Dr. Sigdel highlighted that although radar systems capable of predicting lightning an hour in advance were installed in Udayapur, Palpa, and Surkhet, all three are currently defunct. If properly maintained and reactivated, these systems could detect lightning-prone zones 30 to 60 minutes in advance by monitoring cloud formation and lightning indicators.
He emphasized that if scientific lightning protection systems are mandatorily installed during the construction of homes and large buildings, potential risks can be significantly mitigated.
Dr. Sigdel also urged resourceful local governments to take the initiative to promote awareness campaigns about lightning safety measures down to the ward and community levels.
