Odisha to Develop Lightning Safety Roadmap for 2027–2030, Focus on Early Warning Systems
Bhubaneswar, Oct 16: The Odisha government will formulate a comprehensive lightning safety roadmap for 2027–2030, with a strong emphasis on accurate forecasting, timely early warnings, public awareness and rapid emergency response to reduce lightning-related deaths and damage across the state.
Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari announced the initiative on Thursday while inaugurating a two-day National Workshop on Lightning Safety organised by the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) in Bhubaneswar.
The proposed roadmap aims to strengthen the state’s preparedness for lightning-related disasters through improved technology, coordinated response mechanisms and greater community participation.
Technology to Strengthen Lightning Forecasting
Addressing the workshop, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra highlighted the importance of adopting advanced technologies to improve lightning detection and forecasting.
He emphasised the potential use of satellite data, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enhance the accuracy of lightning predictions and provide more timely warnings to vulnerable communities.
Improved forecasting capabilities are expected to help authorities identify potential risks earlier and communicate alerts more effectively, enabling people to take precautionary measures before lightning strikes occur.
Focus on Vulnerable Communities
OSDMA Managing Director Rajesh Prabhakar Patil stressed the need to strengthen early warning systems and ensure that safety information reaches people at risk.
Farmers, outdoor workers and students were identified among the vulnerable groups requiring greater protection, particularly during thunderstorms and severe weather events.
The initiative is expected to place greater emphasis on public awareness, community-level preparedness and the dissemination of lightning safety messages to help prevent avoidable casualties.
National Workshop to Shape Action Plan
The workshop, being held on October 15 and 16, will bring together scientists, researchers, meteorological experts and disaster management officials from leading national institutions.
Participants will deliberate on strategies to improve lightning preparedness, develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) and establish a coordinated framework for prevention, warning dissemination and emergency response.
The discussions will contribute to the preparation of an action plan titled “Lightning-Safe Odisha: Action Plan 2027 and Roadmap 2027–2030.”
Towards a Lightning-Safer Odisha
Lightning remains a significant natural hazard, making timely warnings, public education and effective emergency response essential components of disaster risk reduction.
Through the proposed roadmap, the Odisha government aims to strengthen its institutional preparedness and improve protection for communities exposed to lightning risks.
The initiative is expected to provide a structured framework for integrating scientific advances with practical safety measures, with the broader objective of reducing fatalities, limiting damage and building a more disaster-resilient Odisha.