Rising Lightning Strikes in Assam: A Growing Threat to Lives

Lightning strikes in Assam have become a significant threat, with over 400 fatalities reported in the last decade. This year alone has seen 39 deaths by early July, raising concerns as the monsoon season approaches. Experts attribute the rise in incidents to climate change and atmospheric instability, urging the use of advanced warning systems like the SmartAxom app to mitigate risks. With Kokrajhar district being the hardest hit, the urgency for awareness and preventive measures is more critical than ever. Discover more about the alarming statistics and expert insights on this growing danger.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 5, 2026, 11:45 IST

Increasing Danger from Lightning Strikes

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Guwahati, July 5: Once considered rare occurrences, lightning strikes have escalated into one of the most deadly natural threats in the state, resulting in over 400 fatalities in the past decade.

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

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, followed by Cachar and Dhubri, each with 32 fatalities, Barpeta with 20, and Chirang with 19.

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

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

Baishya emphasized that advanced lightning detection systems could serve as early warning mechanisms, potentially preventing many tragedies.

“Most fatalities occur during the pre-monsoon and monsoon periods. We have developed a mobile app called SmartAxom, which provides alerts about lightning strikes 30 to 40 minutes in advance,” he noted.

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

An environmentalist from Guwahati, who preferred to remain anonymous, commented, “The increased frequency of lightning strikes is largely due to atmospheric instability caused by erratic rainfall and heatwaves. This instability leads to faster rising air, resulting in more severe thunderstorms.”