NHRC asks chief secy to frame SOP for reducing lightning deaths
Bhubaneswar: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Odisha chief secretary to frame a standard operating procedure (SOP) and guidelines to reduce deaths due to lightning. The state reported 1,625 lightning deaths in the past five years.
The commission passed the order on Thursday after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, an Odisha native. The petitioner stated that incidents of deaths due to lightning and thunderbolt were reported from different districts, but the govt had not made any proper action plan to minimise the casualties.
NHRC took cognisance of the matter and heard both parties. Tripathy suggested several steps in detail to reduce the fatalities and injuries from lightning. He also stressed formulating an SOP for providing compensation and support to the victims’ families.
NHRC received suggestions of the complainant to reduce fatalities due to lightning. These suggestions included public awareness and education, real-time weather forecasting and warning systems by installing advanced lightning detection systems across the state, safe shelter initiatives, infrastructure and building regulations, training for emergency responders, data collection and research, promoting lightning safety practices, improved disaster management plans, and community resilience building.
The commission also received the complainant’s suggestions for the govt to bring out a clear and effective SOP for providing compensation and support to the victims’ families. It includes identification and verification of lightning deaths, communication and coordination, compensation eligibility criteria, compensation account, documentation required, processing the compensation claim, timely disbursement, record keeping and monitoring, creating public awareness and outreach, and holding training and capacity-building exercises.
“Since the Odisha govt has already been working to reduce the fatalities, the commission is of the view that suggestions submitted by the complainant may be considered by the state govt for further policy framing in this regard. In view thereof, let a copy of the complainant’s communication be sent to the Odisha chief secretary for necessary action at their end. With this direction, the case is closed,” the NHRC order said.
The commission passed the order on Thursday after hearing a petition filed by human rights activist and lawyer Radhakanta Tripathy, an Odisha native. The petitioner stated that incidents of deaths due to lightning and thunderbolt were reported from different districts, but the govt had not made any proper action plan to minimise the casualties.
NHRC took cognisance of the matter and heard both parties. Tripathy suggested several steps in detail to reduce the fatalities and injuries from lightning. He also stressed formulating an SOP for providing compensation and support to the victims’ families.
NHRC received suggestions of the complainant to reduce fatalities due to lightning. These suggestions included public awareness and education, real-time weather forecasting and warning systems by installing advanced lightning detection systems across the state, safe shelter initiatives, infrastructure and building regulations, training for emergency responders, data collection and research, promoting lightning safety practices, improved disaster management plans, and community resilience building.
The commission also received the complainant’s suggestions for the govt to bring out a clear and effective SOP for providing compensation and support to the victims’ families. It includes identification and verification of lightning deaths, communication and coordination, compensation eligibility criteria, compensation account, documentation required, processing the compensation claim, timely disbursement, record keeping and monitoring, creating public awareness and outreach, and holding training and capacity-building exercises.
“Since the Odisha govt has already been working to reduce the fatalities, the commission is of the view that suggestions submitted by the complainant may be considered by the state govt for further policy framing in this regard. In view thereof, let a copy of the complainant’s communication be sent to the Odisha chief secretary for necessary action at their end. With this direction, the case is closed,” the NHRC order said.
