Odisha shelter homes to have lightning protection system

  1. The Odisha government has decided to retrofit lightning protection system in multi-purpose shelters across 25 districts in the state. The decision comes in the backdrop of a large number deaths due to lightning in the state.
  2. In the first phase 640 shelters would be taken up with funding support from World Bank under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP). NCRMP seeks to minimize vulnerability to cyclones. It also seeks to make people and infrastructure disaster resilient in harmony with conservation of the coastal eco-system in the cyclone hazard prone states and UTs.
  3. The Odisha Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), in collaboration with US-based Earth Networks has installed 6 lighting detection sensors for early warning in different parts of the state. The system provides prediction of lightning 30-45 minutes in advance.