Expressing concern over the number of deaths caused every year due to lightning strikes, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the State Disaster Management Authority to set up a lightning forecast system in the state.
The chief minister, in a high-level review meeting on Wednesday, said that a large number of people die due to lightning in the state. He said despite the unpredictable nature of a lightning strike, all efforts should be made to minimise the loss of life by sending alerts to people who were in areas that might witness lightning strikes.
In this regard, coordination should be made with the State Disaster Management Authority for technological arrangements, he added.
In the wake of being fully equipped to tackle any natural calamities in the future, the Yogi Adityanath government is preparing a robust system in Uttar Pradesh to prevent damage and loss of life. In this direction, the government is going to implement the Lightning Safety Programme. With this system, people will get information about the area-wise lightning strikes on time and can avoid going to such places. They can also stop their animals from moving out.
Work is also going on to strengthen the district level emergency operation centres.
The government's Aapda Mitra and Aapda Sakhi scheme will also be of great help in preventing other calamities, including lightning strikes, and saving lives. Trained Aapda Mitras and Aapda Sakhis will be equipped with rescue equipment and safety kits so that they may deal with any disaster. Under this scheme, 10 lakh women of self-help groups will be given training in disaster management.
Disaster Management Helpline 1070 will also be integrated with 112 helpline.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has already directed officials to provide ex gratia assistance to the families affected by natural calamity within 24 hours. Ex gratia assistance is given from State Disaster Response Fund in case of damages caused by notified calamities such as storm, lightning and drowning by Government of India and state government. Under this, in case of death due to notified calamities, Rs 4 lakh is given per person, Rs 59,100 per person in case of physical disability from 40 per cent to 60 per cent, Rs 2 lakh per person in case of more than 60 per cent physical disability.
