Experts mull lightning forecast system using new tech to reduce deaths
Bhubaneswar: Experts on Thursday discussed the need to reduce lightning deaths in the state by developing a lightning forecast system using new technology during a three-day conference organised by Fakir Mohan University (FMU), Balasore, on ‘Mitigating Lightning Hazards: Advancing Monitoring, Forecasting, Protection and Community Resilience’.
Pratap Kumar Mohanty, officer on special duty, DD University, Keonjhar, said, “States like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh are more vulnerable to lightning hazards compared to other states. Despite scholarly studies being carried out, there are no pertinent solutions to it and people are not even talking about it.”
He added, “Farmers are the ones who suffer the most. Although academic research is being conducted, the ultimate objective is to apply it for the benefit of the public. Therefore, the govt and local administration should be aware of this, and appropriate communication should be provided to them for the implementation of practical policies.”
Santosh Kumar Tripathy, vice-chancellor of FMU, said people from different blocks in Balasore district are attending the conference, which is focused on an important topic like lightning hazards and its mitigation strategies. “Researchers, scientists, academicians and students, from both domestic and foreign institutions, and organisations also attended the conference,” he added.
He voiced his worries about the current lightning-related problems and talked about the outreach initiatives FMU will organise with last-mile residents that will provide answers with the active participation of academicians, experts and scholars.
Manoranjan Mishra, head of the geography department at FMU, said machine learning can be used for developing new lightning forecast models. “We are conducting research on this aspect,” he added.
Pratap Kumar Mohanty, officer on special duty, DD University, Keonjhar, said, “States like Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Chhattisgarh are more vulnerable to lightning hazards compared to other states. Despite scholarly studies being carried out, there are no pertinent solutions to it and people are not even talking about it.”
He added, “Farmers are the ones who suffer the most. Although academic research is being conducted, the ultimate objective is to apply it for the benefit of the public. Therefore, the govt and local administration should be aware of this, and appropriate communication should be provided to them for the implementation of practical policies.”
Santosh Kumar Tripathy, vice-chancellor of FMU, said people from different blocks in Balasore district are attending the conference, which is focused on an important topic like lightning hazards and its mitigation strategies. “Researchers, scientists, academicians and students, from both domestic and foreign institutions, and organisations also attended the conference,” he added.
He voiced his worries about the current lightning-related problems and talked about the outreach initiatives FMU will organise with last-mile residents that will provide answers with the active participation of academicians, experts and scholars.
Manoranjan Mishra, head of the geography department at FMU, said machine learning can be used for developing new lightning forecast models. “We are conducting research on this aspect,” he added.
