Rising Lightning Strikes in Assam: A Growing Concern for Safety

Lightning strikes in Assam have surged, becoming a significant threat with over 400 fatalities in the last decade. This year alone has seen 39 deaths by early July, raising concerns as the monsoon season approaches. Experts attribute the increase to climate change and atmospheric instability, urging the use of advanced warning systems like the SmartAxom app to mitigate risks. With Kokrajhar district reporting the highest fatalities, awareness campaigns are underway to protect vulnerable populations, particularly farmers. The situation calls for immediate attention as 2026 is projected to be particularly deadly.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 10:41 IST

Increasing Threat of Lightning Strikes in Assam

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Guwahati, July 5: Once considered rare occurrences, lightning strikes have escalated into a significant danger in Assam, resulting in over 400 fatalities in the past decade.

This year has already seen an alarming increase, with 39 deaths reported by July 3. As the monsoon season progresses, experts warn that 2026 is on track to be particularly deadly due to lightning incidents.

The year 2024 recorded the highest fatalities in a single year since 2016, with 51 lives lost to lightning strikes.

Data from the Assam State Disaster Management Authority (ASDMA) indicates that Kokrajhar district has suffered the most, with 43 deaths since 2016. Other districts with significant fatalities include Cachar and Dhubri, each with 32 deaths, followed by Barpeta (20) and Chirang (19).

In 2026, Kokrajhar has already reported nine deaths, while Barpeta and Lakhimpur have each recorded five. Historical data shows that May and June are particularly deadly months, with 78 deaths in June and 75 in May over the last decade.

“The rise in lightning strikes can be attributed to climate change,” stated Biren Baishya, an ASDMA expert specializing in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). “There are two main types of lightning: cloud-to-cloud and cloud-to-ground, with the latter being responsible for most fatalities.”

Baishya emphasized the importance of advanced lightning detection systems, which can serve as early warning mechanisms to prevent tragedies. “Most fatalities occur during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. We have developed a mobile app called SmartAxom that provides alerts about lightning strikes 30 to 40 minutes in advance,” he explained.

“We are also conducting awareness campaigns to encourage farmers and others working outdoors to install the app for timely warnings and necessary precautions,” he added.

An environmentalist from Guwahati, who preferred to remain anonymous, noted, “The increased frequency of lightning strikes is largely due to atmospheric instability, which includes unpredictable rainfall and heatwaves. This instability causes air to rise more rapidly, leading to more intense thunderstorms.”