Tech to warn against lightning strikes
1 Feb 2018 11:09 PM IST
Kolkata: The state government has introduced a state-of-the-art technology that will ensure prediction of lightning and dissemination of information at least 45 minutes ahead of it striking at a particular location in any part of Bengal.
The state Disaster Management and Civil Defence department has developed the system in collaboration with an expert company from US. It may be mentioned that 294 people were killed due to lightning in 2016-17 and the state government has given compensation of Rs 2 lakh to each.
Now with the introduction of the system, the chances of people falling victims to lighting will come down significantly as people can reach a safe location after getting the information about it at least 45 minutes before it strikes.
Necessary devices like sensors have been installed at places including Siliguri, Cooch Behar, Raiganj, Jangipur in Murshidabad, Haldia, Kolkata and Kharagpur.
The sensors will cover the entire state and will keep feeding information to the central control room in Nabanna after predicting lightning at a particular location.
Immediately, information will be disseminated through SMS and other mediums, so that it reaches the people as early as possible and they can search for a safe place.
There is also a cell phone app. Information will also be made available in the app. Moreover, the state government is also considering the proposal of introducing a system of blaring siren to alert people in a particular area, as soon as there is any prediction of lightning.
The department is also taking the initiative of disseminating related information through television channels as well. One might also register to get lightning alert through text messages in their cell phones.
The system has already started working and the expense of running the entire system to get prediction on lightning is Rs 44 lakh per year.
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