Why are lightning deaths increasing in Bengal?

Lightning deaths are increasing in Bengal primarily due to climate change, which is causing atmospheric instability, leading to more intense thunderstorms and frequent lightning.

What is being done to reduce lightning fatalities in Bengal?

Efforts are being made to improve forecasting, evacuation protocols, and last-mile communication to ensure timely alerts reach people at risk, alongside a focus on community awareness and behavioral change.

How does climate change affect weather in Bengal?

Climate change is reshaping Bengal's risk profile, making disasters like prolonged heatwaves, intense hailstorms, and extreme rainfall events more frequent, alongside increased lightning activity.

Home / Environment / Bengal's Lightning Deaths Soar Amid Climate Crisis

Bengal's Lightning Deaths Soar Amid Climate Crisis

19 Feb

•

Summary

Over 139 deaths reported in 2025 due to lightning in Bengal.
Climate change is linked to increased frequency of intense thunderstorms.
Last-mile communication and community awareness are critical for prevention.

Bengal's Lightning Deaths Soar Amid Climate Crisis

Climate change is driving a significant increase in lightning fatalities across Bengal, with over 139 deaths recorded in 2025 and 1,459 between 2018 and 2023. This makes Bengal a major lightning hotspot within India. Disaster management officials are concerned by the persistent high toll, despite improvements in storm and flood disaster management.

Scientists explain that rising global temperatures and warming water bodies are destabilizing the atmosphere, leading to more intense thunderstorms and frequent lightning. Nationally, lightning accounts for over 35% of deaths from natural hazards.

Effective prevention requires overcoming challenges in timely lightning alerts reaching those in fields, on roads, or near water. While infrastructure and forecasting have advanced, strengthening last-mile communication and community awareness is vital. Bengal's evolving risk profile includes more frequent heatwaves, hailstorms, and extreme rainfall events.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.