NEW DELHI: Even as the southwest monsoon begins its annual withdrawal from northwest India, lightning continues to pose a far greater threat to lives than floods or heavy rains in many parts of the country.

Data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) and independent studies show that lightning kills between 2,500 and 3,000 people in India every year — more than any other natural hazard. Between 1975 and 2024, lightning claimed over 1,02,000 lives, with the annual average rising steadily over the decades. In recent years, the figure has rarely dropped below 2,500 and often crossed 2,800.

Central and eastern states bear the brunt. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh together account for the bulk of fatalities. Most victims are rural residents, particularly farmers and labourers working in open fields during thunderstorms. Men form the overwhelming majority of those killed, largely because of outdoor work.

Even after the monsoon begins to retreat, the danger does not disappear. Late-season thunderstorms and post-monsoon lightning activity continue to claim lives. In September 2026 itself, multiple deaths were reported from Karnataka, Maharashtra and other states as residual weather systems triggered thunderstorms.

Experts note that while India has improved early warning systems — including the Damini app and IMD thunderstorm alerts — the last-mile reach and public awareness remain weak. Many rural communities still lack timely information or safe shelters when storms approach. Officials and researchers stress that almost all lightning deaths are preventable if people move indoors, avoid open fields, trees and water bodies, and follow safety guidelines during thunderstorms.

With the monsoon season winding down, authorities have reiterated the need for continued vigilance. “The rains may ease, but the risk of lightning does not vanish overnight,” one disaster management official said. “Awareness and preparedness remain the only effective shields.”