Lightning strikes and deaths used to be relatively uncommon and not a major concern in the face of the many risks and challenges Nigerians encounter. However, there has been a concerning increase in the frequency of such strikes recently.
On Saturday, nine final year students in an unnamed secondary school in Awka South local government area of Anambra state were playing football in the rain when they were struck by lightning, according to the News Agency of Nigeria. Three students died after they were all evacuated to hospital.
Nigeria has recorded 28 lightning deaths in the last three years, according to news reports tallied by Pluboard. There were 18 deaths in 2020, seven deaths in 2022 and three this year so far.
The figures appear to decline annually, but they are not comprehensive to tell the whole story about a phenomenon that seems to be on the rise. The Nigeria Lightning Safety and Research, a non-governmental organization, said 2.4 million thunder strikes were expected in April 2023.
So, is Nigeria experiencing more lightning deaths lately, and will there be more in the coming years? Science says yes, unfortunately!
Understand lightning and the risks
Lightning is a rapid discharge of electricity in the atmosphere, caused by the build-up of static electricity in clouds. When this build-up becomes too strong, the air can no longer block the charges, and a lightning bolt is formed. Lightning can be dangerous, causing fires, damaging buildings, and electrocuting people and animals.
Africa has the highest number of lightning hotspots in the world, according to NASA, with six of the planet’s top 10 lightning-prone areas located on the continent. Many of these areas are bodies of water, including Lake Victoria, spanning Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.
In a 2018 study conducted across eight African nations, approximately 500 lightning-related fatalities were recorded annually. Worldwide, estimates vary, with figures ranging from 6,000 to 24,000 lightning-related deaths each year.
In 2011, a lightning bolt struck an elementary school in the same country, killing 20 children and causing injuries to nearly 100 others.
Scientists say Africa, Nigeria inclusive, will be experiencing bigger and more frequent thunderstorms as global temperatures rise in the era of climate change. Meteorologists said in a January 2020 paper that an increase in temperatures in Africa over the past seven decades correlates with bigger and more frequent thunderstorms.
Africa faces increased risk because of poor urban design and infrastructure which can worsen flooding during heavy storms, explains Alistair Clulow, a professor of agrometeorology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa, who was quoted by the New York Times.
That, in turn, can make lightning strikes more deadly because water conducts electricity.
Many houses in rural areas also lack plumbing and wiring that can act as grounding against lightning strikes. Farmers and herders in rural communities work in the open, which makes them more vulnerable during storms.
How to avoid or survive lightning strikes
Experts recommend taking swift action when you hear thunder, spot lightning, or observe menacing skies. Seek shelter indoors promptly.
“If you hear thunder, go indoors,” says the Nigeria Lightning Safety and Research.
Many homes and structures are equipped with wiring and plumbing systems that redirect lightning through grounded rods, securely discharging the electrical energy into the ground. This level of protection is not typically available in smaller shelters or tents.
If a large building is not accessible, taking refuge inside a vehicle is a safe alternative.
When indoors, it’s advisable to refrain from using corded electrical devices and to steer clear of wiring and plumbing. Additionally, avoid areas such as balconies, porches, garages, and proximity to windows and exterior doors, as recommended by weather services.
“The most important thing is that you’re safe inside of a large substantial building or a fully enclosed, metal-top vehicle,” Ron Holle, a meteorologist and lightning safety specialist at the National Lightning Safety Council, told CNN. “Anywhere outside of those two locations is not safe.”
Surviving a lightning strike
On a positive note, 90% of lightning strike victims survive.
While most lightning strike victims survive, they may experience severe and long-lasting effects, including seizures, memory loss, and debilitating injuries.
If someone is struck by lightning, it is safe to touch them and move them indoors and try to resuscitate them as the victim’s heart or breathing may have stopped.
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