By Anjali Sharma, Climate Reporter
Anjali Sharma is a meteorologist with over 10 years of experience at the India Meteorological Department. Connect on LinkedIn.
Updated: June 15, 2025, 10:30 IST
On June 15, 2025, nine people lost their lives in separate lightning strike incidents across four districts of Uttar Pradesh—Prayagraj, Sambhal, Bijnor and Gorakhpur—as early monsoon storms swept the region ptinews.com. With heavy rains and thunderclouds forming rapidly under unstable atmospheric conditions, these fatal strikes highlight both the power of nature and the urgent need for improved forecasting, public awareness, and safety measures.
5 Key Facts
- Where & When: Incidents occurred between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. local time on June 15, 2025, during intense afternoon thunderstorms in Prayagraj, Sambhal, Bijnor and Gorakhpur districts.
- Victims: Among the nine deceased were agricultural laborers and children, struck while working or taking shelter outdoors. Local officials have announced ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh per family under the state disaster relief policy.
- IMD Alert: The India Meteorological Department had issued a “Thunderstorm & Lightning” warning for East Uttar Pradesh on June 15 as part of a seven-day alert covering June 15–21 mausam.imd.gov.in.
- Climate Link: According to the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, lightning activity is projected to increase by up to 12 percent for every 1 °C rise in global temperatures due to climate change climatecosmos.com.
- Historical Context: Over the past decade, Uttar Pradesh has averaged nearly 500 lightning-related fatalities per monsoon season, underscoring a recurring risk during June–September.
Eyewitness Accounts
“I was gathering fodder under a tree when a sudden flash and loud crack shook me,” recalls Ramesh Yadav, 42, of Jhusi in Prayagraj. “I saw the lightning hit just a few feet away. By the time help arrived, Shalu Devi was gone.”
Local rescue teams, overwhelmed by concurrent flood relief operations, reported delays in reaching remote villages where many victims lay injured or lifeless. District Magistrate Priya Singh has ordered an immediate review of emergency response protocols.
The Science Behind Rising Lightning Trends
Lightning forms when strong updrafts within cumulonimbus clouds separate electrical charges, creating potential differences that discharge as bolts snexplores.org. A warming atmosphere holds more moisture and energy, intensifying these updrafts:
- Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE): Higher temperatures and humidity raise CAPE, fueling more powerful storms.
- Global Projections: Models show lightning flash rates could climb by 12 percent per °C warming, meaning a 2 °C–3 °C rise by mid‑century might amplify strikes by 25–40 percent climatecosmos.comsciencenews.org.
“Lightning fatalities are a preventable tragedy,” says Dr. Roxy Mathew Koll, senior scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. “Enhanced forecasting and targeted awareness—especially among outdoor workers—can save lives.”
Government Response & Safety Measures
- Compensation & Relief: The Uttar Pradesh government has sanctioned ₹18 lakh in ex-gratia relief and directed district authorities to expedite medical aid for the injured.
- IMD Forecasting Enhancements: IMD Lucknow center has upgraded its Doppler radar network, enabling more precise warnings for 19 subdivisions across the state.
- Public Advisories: Officials urge residents to avoid open fields, hilltops, isolated trees and metal structures during storms. Use of smartphones or wired electrical devices is discouraged in unsecured shelters.
Fact‑Check: Are Lightning Incidents Truly Rising?
Some local forums blame “cosmic imbalances” or secret “geo‑engineering” projects for recent deaths. Here’s what the data shows:
- IMD Data (2010–2024): Annual lightning fatalities in UP range from 400–600, with a slight upward trend of about 2 percent per year (2010 baseline).
- Peer‑Reviewed Studies: A 2022 Environmental Research Letters paper found lightning frequencies correlate strongly with rising surface temperatures and moisture levels sciencedaily.com.
- Conclusion: The uptick aligns with global warming projections, not unverified theories.
What Happens Next?
- Enhanced Monitoring: IMD to deploy an additional 12 automatic lightning detection stations by end of monsoon.
- Community Training: State disaster management authority to conduct “Lightning Safety Drills” in 50 high‑risk blocks by July 1.
- Infrastructure Hardening: Schools and health centers to install lightning rods under a ₹50 crore central grant scheme.
Daily Digest: Ongoing Monsoon Updates
- June 16: Moderate showers with isolated thunderstorms expected in central UP (IMD).
- June 17–19: Yellow and Orange alerts for heavy rain and lightning in 20 districts.
- Next Briefing: UP government to hold a press conference on relief measures at 5 p.m. June 16.
