KATHMANDU, May 20: At least 237 people have died and 908 have been injured due to lightning strikes in Nepal over the last four years. The risk of lightning extends from Jhapa in Koshi Province to Kanchanpur in Sudurpaschim Province, and from Humla in Karnali to Dhanusha in Madhesh Province.
According to Roshni Kumari Shrestha, the Joint Secretary of National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA), Jhapa, Udayapur, and Makwanpur are particularly at risk of lightning in Nepal. She stated that from July 16, 2021 to May 19, 2025, a total of 1,118 lightning incidents occurred, affecting 1,607 families.
She further mentioned that Nepal ranks fifth in the world in terms of disaster risk from lightning.
“Homes, livestock sheds, and tall towers are common targets for lightning strikes. During the monsoon, people working in agriculture are vulnerable to lightning incidents. Although most lightning occurs in Koshi Province, the highest human and physical damages have been reported in Lumbini Province,” said Joint Secretary Shrestha.
In the past four years, there have been 295 lightning incidents in Koshi Province, affecting 366 houses, resulting in 51 deaths and 84 injuries. The total material damage caused by lightning in Koshi Province is approximately Rs 16.45 million, with 420 livestock killed.
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According to the NDRRMA, in Lumbini Province, there have been 180 lightning incidents over the past four years, resulting in 54 deaths. The material damage in Lumbini is valued at around Rs 34.90 million, 276 families were affected by lightning in Lumbini, 165 people were injured, and 98 animals were killed.
According to Shrestha, the number of deaths caused by lightning in different provinces is as follows: 35 people lost their lives in Sudurpaschim, 27 in Madhesh, 25 in Bagmati, 24 in Gandaki, and 21 in Karnali. In terms of injuries, the numbers are 207 people in Karnali, 158 in Sudurpaschim, 84 in Gandaki, 82 in Bagmati, and 28 in Madhesh.
Lightning is the second leading cause of the loss of life and property due to disasters in Nepal, as said by Associate Professor Madan Sigdel from the Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology at Tribhuvan University. He mentioned that lightning incidents are more frequent during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods, from Chaitra (mid-March–mid-April) to Asar (mid-June–mid-July).
According to Sigdel, during this period the atmosphere becomes unstable, which increases the likelihood of lightning accidents. Due to the geographical features of the Himalayas, hills, and the Terai, lightning strikes are more frequent in Nepal.
While lightning cannot be prevented, Sigdel emphasized that it is possible to reduce the damage caused by up to 80 percent. He also noted that awareness is the most effective way to minimize the potential damage from lightning.
“The reason for more human and physical damage in Nepal compared to developed countries is the lack of awareness and technology,” said climate expert Madan Sigdel. “Our survey has shown that 80 percent of human casualties occur when working people go to open spaces. This type of damage can be prevented.”
Referring to studies that show lightning strikes are more frequent after noon during the monsoon season, he explained that activities like farming, collecting firewood, and grazing livestock tend to occur during this time, which leads to higher human casualties. He emphasized that such tasks could be completed before noon, and if people avoid open spaces during thunderstorms, human casualties could be significantly reduced.
The Department of Hydrology and Meteorology had installed radar equipment to provide information about lightning strikes in Udayapur, Palpa, and Surkhet districts one hour in advance.
Although the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology has installed radar equipment in Udayapur, Palpa, and Surkhet districts that provides one-hour advance warning of lightning, all three radars are currently out of order and are inactive.
Climate expert Sigdel mentioned that if these radars are repaired and made operational, they would provide information about the areas at risk of lightning strikes from half an hour to one hour in advance. He explained that the radar monitors the cloud formation process and analyzes the locations where lightning strikes are likely to occur. He mentioned that if scientific equipment is installed during the construction of homes and large physical structures to prevent the impact of lightning, it would help mitigate the risks associated with lightning strikes.
