Odisha to install lightning sensors to warn people

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The Odisha government has decided to install lightning sensors across the state so that people can be warned about possible lightning strikes to save them, an official said today.

An early lightning warning system is required as lightning strikes have claimed at least 18 lives in the state, in the last three days, Odisha's Special Relief Commissioner (SRC) B P Sethi said.

"We can get information about lightning 45 minutes prior to lightning strike. The state government will make arrangements to send the information to the people through mass media," Sethi said.

This will help people to move to safer places, Sethi said.

The state will sign a MoU with a US-based lightning analysing system company this week, the official said.

The company, called Earth Networks, will install the lightning sensors at various places across the state, the SRC said.

The SRC said the lightning senors would be installed in high-rise buildings and multipurpose shelters.

On an average, 419 people have been killed in lightning strikes in the state each year, for the last three years, a state government official said, adding, it has become a cause for concern for the Odisha government.