Odisha government has decided to collaborate with the US based firm “Earth Networks” to install lightning detection and early warning systems. Earth Networks have the expertise on providing lightning early warning services and have done it in more than 50 countries.

It is already providing services in some states of India like West Bengal, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, said Mr Bishnupada Sethi, Managing Director of Odisha State Disaster Mitigation Authority ( OSDMA).

On Wednesday, Mr Sethi signed a MoU with Earth Networks in the presence of Revenue Minister Mr Maheswar Mohanty for early weather warning like lightning, thunderstorm alerts etc.

Earth Networks already has lightning sensors in the region and will install additional sensors in Odisha as needed to cover the entire state. The system would predict the lightning about 45 minutes in advance.

The system would also be helpful in prediction of hail winds, hail storms, dangerous thunderstorms. The 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, observed Mr Sethi.

Lightning has emerged as a major disaster. As many as 460 people have been killed during the year 2017-18 due to lightning, which records a 15 per cent increase over the previous year. Concerned over the rising number of deaths due to lightning in Odisha, the State Government has taken all out efforts to mitigate the effects of lightning.

The state government listed lightning as state-specific disaster enabling the dependants of the victims to get Rs 4.00 lakh as compensation. Massive awareness campaign in TV and media has been initiated by the Government and posters & leaflets have been distributed in the villages.

Besides raising awareness among people about the disaster and sharing safety tips, the state government is making all out efforts to minimize the death toll through appropriate technological interventions, said OSMA officials