Kerala is awaiting a favourable decision from the Union government on its persistent demand to recognise lightning as a natural calamity, thereby making victims eligible for compensation from national relief funds. The demand has been included in the State’s memorandum to the 14 Finance Commission.
Minister for Revenue Adoor Prakash submitted a fresh representation to Union Minister for Home Affairs Rajnath Singh last month highlighting the State’s plea. Kerala’s repeated requests on the issue had been turned down by the Centre on the grounds that deaths due to lightning were isolated incidents and not a widespread phenomenon.
Meanwhile, with little more than a month to go before the northeast monsoon sweeps in over Kerala, bringing thunderstorms in its wake, the Disaster Management Department has begun preparations to minimise the damage caused by lightning strikes, typical of the season.
The State Disaster Management Authority is gearing up for a State-wide campaign highlighting the dangers of lightning and the precautionary measures to be taken. District Collectors will be issued directions to organise special assemblies on lightning safety in all schools.
SDMA member and Head Scientist, State Emergency Operations Centre Sekhar L. Kuriakose said the special assembly would be held in the first week of October.
A brochure on lightning safety prepared by the SDMA will be read out at the assembly and circulated among students.
The brochure deals with the dos and don’ts to be followed during a thunderstorm.
“Lightning occurs at random and there is no way anyone can predict a strike or run away from it. By avoiding exposure, it is possible to save lives and minimise damage to property. The school-level campaign is aimed at creating heightened awareness about these methods’,” Dr.Kuriakose said.
