By Hajira Khota                                                                                                                                                     08.11.2021

One of the most powerful sources of energy in the natural environment is lightning. These storms are spectacular, but they are also dangerous to people, animals, and the built environment. Zambia and Uganda, among other African countries, have among of the world’s highest lightning mortality rates. Each year in South Africa, more than 250 people are killed by lightning.

Forensic science is opening the secrets of deadly lightning strikes that could assist with saving a huge number of lives.

This new study by South Africa and UK experts could aid forensic teams in determining whether people or animals died as a result of fatal lightning strikes based only on the analysis of their skeletons.

As the world build up for COP26 in Glasgow, researchers have found the evidence in legal lightning pathology that will assist with creating life-saving information to address the deadly impacts of the expanding number and seriousness of storm and lightning strikes because of worldwide environmental change.

Dr Hugh Hunt, Senior Lecturer and Head of the Johannesburg Lightning Research Laboratory, Wits University spoke to Radio Islam International; he says that an increase in lightning strikes could be linked to the climate issue and the availability of greater moisture over land as a result of rising temperatures.

There is evidence that the frequency and severity of thunderstorms and lightning strikes may increase as a result of climate change. Unfortunately, fatal strikes on wild animals, livestock, and people are widespread, with African countries having some of the world’s highest fatality rates.

“The number of people killed by lightning in South Africa is far greater than the United States or Europe”.

Hunt says that solutions need to be put in place to protect people from lightning.

[LISTEN] to the podcast here