What Is Lightning? A Hazard That Has Claimed Over 1,000 Lives in 12 Years

March 31, Kathmandu — According to data released by the National Emergency Operations Center under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Nepal has suffered significant loss of life and property due to lightning strikes over the past 12 years. Senior Hydrologist Rajendra Sharma from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority reported that from 2013 to late February 2026, a total of 3,386 lightning incidents were recorded nationwide. These incidents have resulted in 1,073 fatalities, including 460 men, 303 women, and 312 unidentified victims. Additionally, 3,408 people were injured, comprising 1,317 men and 1,633 women.

The center noted that 4,294 families were affected by lightning strikes. Property losses include complete damage to 104 homes and partial damage to 390 others. Infrastructure-wise, 114 animal shelters were damaged, and 4,849 livestock were affected. Senior Hydrologist Sharma estimated the economic loss from these incidents to be approximately NPR 118,218,260.

Makwanpur district reported the highest number of lightning incidents with 182 cases, where 41 people lost their lives and 75 were injured. Around 300 families were affected there. Other districts recorded include Jhapa with 113, Udayapur with 104, Dailekh with 105, and Morang with 95 incidents. In terms of human casualties, Makwanpur led with 75 deaths, followed by Morang with 42 and Udayapur with 39.

The center also highlighted significant lightning risks in the eastern hilly regions: Khotang recorded 92 events, Sankhuwasabha 86, and Okhaldhunga 76, indicating a persistent hazard in these areas.

In Madhes Province, multiple deaths were reported in districts such as Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusha, and Parsa. In western Nepal, Rolpa had 91 incidents, Gulmi and Pyuthan each recorded 72, and Achham had 73. Economically, Jhapa suffered the highest damage estimated at around NPR 10.7 million, with Khotang, Udayapur, and Sankhuwasabha also experiencing substantial losses.

Experts have emphasized the importance of raising awareness and adopting protective measures, especially since lightning incidents tend to increase during the monsoon and pre-monsoon seasons.

Analyzing recent data, the annual average number of deaths caused by lightning stands at 67. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, in 2020 there were 248 lightning incidents causing 70 deaths and 248 injuries. In 2021, although the number of incidents reduced to 203, 56 deaths and 179 injuries were recorded. In 2022, there were 290 events with 84 fatalities and 238 injuries. In 2023, 247 incidents accounted for 44 deaths and 228 injuries, while in 2024, from April to mid-March, 416 incidents resulted in 47 deaths and 307 injuries.

What is lightning? According to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority’s handbook, lightning is a large amount of electrical current flowing from clouds to the ground. When clouds at different heights and with opposite charges approach each other suddenly, a powerful electric discharge occurs. This generates strong electrical waves accompanied by loud thunder and sparks that strike the Earth’s surface, posing a significant risk. Though settlements, vegetation, and geographical features influence the occurrence and risk of lightning, fundamentally it is an accident.

Lightning particularly endangers those working outdoors such as farmers, laborers, and livestock herders. Installing lightning protection technology on tall buildings, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and infrastructure like electrical and telephone lines can help minimize loss of life and property damage.