BENGALURU: Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) will soon develop a thunder-lightning censor enabled mobile application that will alert users about thunder or lightning one hour before it strikes.
Every year in Karnataka, 60 to 70 people die after being struck by lightning during the monsoon.
This year, more than 20 causualties have been reported across the state since May 4. Lightning deaths have been reported in Bagalkot, Ballari, Uttara Kannada, Gadag, Dharwad, Belagavi, Chitradurga, Mysuru and Vijayapura districts. “One can’t avoid thunder or lightning, but if we take steps, lives can be saved. KSNDMC will develop an app that sends alerts on thunder and lightning strikes in association with a private agency,” said Srinivas Reddy, KSNDMC director.
Reddy said that the project is funded completely by the state government and is expected to cost around `60 lakh. “With the help of thunder-lightning detectors, we will get the prediction data one hour to 45 minutes before lightening or thunder strikes. We are calling for tenders from agencies who makes censors and design the application,” he said.
Fatal strike
May 4: One die, another person injured in Yadavada village, Dharwad
May 4: Two shepherds, sheep killed at Obalapura village, Belagavi
May 9: Three die near Vanivilasa Sagara, Chitradurga
May 9: One person dies at Bandraavi village, Chitradurga district
May 9: Father-son duo die at Makodashettihalli village, Mysuru district
May 10: 19-year-old boy dies while sowing seeds at a field in KR Nagara taluk.
May 14: 12-year-old boy dies in Ballari
May 14: Girl, 8, dies in Bagalkot
May 14 : Three die in separate incidents in Bhatkal, Gadag and Vijayapura.