Progressive Agriculture 27: 57-63, 2016 ISSN: 1017 - 8139

Studies of thunderstorms and lightning on human health, agriculture and fisheries in and of M Khatun1, MA Islam1 *, MA Haque2

1Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh, 2School of Agriculture, Bangladesh Open University, Gazipur, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to the assessment on thunderstorm and lightning and their impact on human health, agriculture and fisheries. More than half of the respondents (58%) were illiterate and lack of knowledge about thunderstorm (Melandaha ) and 30% were illiterate in Mymensingh Sadar Upazila. In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, about 70% respondents suffered with light dumb disease and about 46% respondents suffered with moderate headache disease. About 40% respondents suffered with severe heart failure disease. In Melandaha Upazila, about 42% respondents suffered with light heart failure and neural damage disease. About 28% respondents suffered with moderate skin irritation and headache disease. About 32% respondents suffered with severe heart failure and neural damage disease. In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, about 53% of the respondents reported that fishes are at risk condition at the time of Thunderstorm and lightning and about 47% of the respondents reported that fishes were at very risk condition during TS and lightning. In Melandaha Upazila, about 67% of the respondents reported that fishes were at risk condition at the time of TS and lightning and about 33% of the respondents reported that fishes were at very risk condition during TS and lightning. Most of the respondents reported that TS affected the agricultural production very much. For TS and lightning, agricultural land was unsuitable for agricultural production. Trees and crops were uprooted, damaged and fired. So, people lose their property and lose to their lives. Farmers were struck by thunderbolt while they were working at paddy field and harvesting paddy field. Routine research work with wide public awareness, government and NGO participation, and government regulation are needed for safe and sound environment.

Key words: Thunderstorms & lightning, human health, agriculture, fisheries

Progressive Agriculturists. All rights reserve *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

Introduction

Bangladesh is a disaster prone country. Almost every hailstones, and flash flooding caused by heavy year, the country experiences disasters of one kind or precipitation. Stronger thunderstorm cells are capable another such as tropical cyclones, storm surges, of producing tornadoes and waterspouts (Gomes et thunderstorm (TS), coastal erosion, floods, and al., 2006). droughts causing heavy loss of life and property and All thunderstorms produce lightning and are very jeopardizing the development activities (Ali, 1999). dangerous. In the world, every year, over 20,000 Thunderstorms are responsible for the development people are affected by lightning and several thousand and formation of many severe weather phenomena. succumb to their injuries. Only a few studies have Thunderstorms, and the phenomena that occur along been done on lightning in Bangladesh (Karim, 1995, with them, pose great hazards to populations and Gomes et al., 2006) and those few reveal that the landscapes. Damage that results from thunderstorms number of lightning incidents in the country is quite is mainly inflicted by downburst winds, large 57

Thunderstorms and lightning in Mymensingh and Jamalpur high. But there is no study on lightning in Jamalpur data. Primary data were collected through field and still now. Media reports on observation and secondary data were collected from lightning incidents in Bangladesh frequently carry governmental organization, personal records, news on incidents where a single lightning flash journals and papers (published and unpublished), killing multiple victims (the number may reach even articles, and from electronic and web based 10-12). Most of the people, killed by lightning are information. villagers in rural areas who work in open fields Results and Discussion (Gomes et al., 2011). Most of the respondents said that TS is very Most of us tend to look at lightning as a harmful side dangerous for human being and agriculture. They effect of storms, but in realities these lightning also said TS is very harmful for human being, provide benefits to our planet. These benefits include agriculture, fisheries and other sectors. From survey assisting farmers by helping plants grow. Lightning report , 70% of respondents said that TS and helps fertilize plants. Our atmosphere consists of lightning occured in rainy season. 15% of the approximately 78% nitrogen, but this nitrogen exists respondents said that it occured in March-May month in a form that plant life cannot use (Kerr, 2012). and 10% were said that it also occured in wet season Therefore, proper dissemination of knowledge on (In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila). In Melandaha lightning protection and safety measures, down to Upazila, 76% of respondents said that TS and village level, is essential to curb the death toll and lightning occured in rainy season. 17% of the other hazards to the human beings and livestock. respondents said that it occured in March-May Materials and Methods month. Rest of the respondents said that TS occured any time of year, but are less likely to happen in A list of people of the study area was prepared by winter and far more common during summer. researcher herself with the help of the local block In Bangladesh, thunderstorms occur in all seasons of supervisors, and local leaders. Hundred (100) of pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon and are people of ten (10) different villages constituted the characterized by strong surface wind generally from sample of this study. In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, 40 to 100 miles per hour and accompanied by heavy fifty (50) of people of five (05) different selected rain and often destructive hail with lightning villages constituted the sample of this study. In (Ferdousi et al., 2014). Melandaha Upazila, fifty (50) of people of five (05) different selected villages constituted the sample of Causes of thunderstorm this study. An interview schedule was prepared for In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, 33% of the collection of data from the respondents keeping respondents reported that thunderstorms caused by the objectives of the study in mind. The questions rain, 57% of the respondents reported that and statements contained in the schedule were thunderstorms caused by heavy rainfall and 10% of simple, direct and easily understandable by the the respondents reported that thunderstorms caused peoples. Simple and direct questions, different by high wind (Figure 1). In Melandaha Upazila, 41% scales, closed open form statements were included of the respondents reported that thunderstorms in the interview schedule to obtain necessary caused by rain, 54% of the respondents reported that information. Data were collected by the researcher thunderstorms caused by heavy rainfall and 5% of during two seasons (April-September, 2014) and the respondents reported that thunderstorms caused (February-May, 2015). Before starting the collection by high wind (Figure 1). of data the research established adequate rapport so that the responded did not feel hesitate to provide Strong thunderstorms also produced tornadoes, actual information. Whenever any respondent faced which can cause massive destruction to personal and difficulty in understanding a particular question the business property. Thunderstorms occurred when researcher took care to explain the same clearly. The warm, moist air within a rain cloud, rises in large research was based on both primary and secondary volumes and with increasing velocity. Similar result was also supported by (NSSL, 2008). 58

Khatun et al. (2016), Progressive Agriculture 27 (1): 57-63

Mymensingh Sadar Upazila Mymensingh Sadar Upazila 60 45

50 40 35 40 30 30 25 20 20 % of the respondents ofthe % 10 15 % of the respondents ofthe % 10 0 5 Rain Heavy rainfall High wind 0 Causes of thunderstorms Disrupt Lose Injured Burns Death Melandaha Upazila human property life & lives 60 Effects of thunderstorms & lightning 50 Melandaha Upazila 40 40 30 35 20 30

% of the respondents ofthe % 10 25

0 respondents 20 Rain Heavy rainfall High wind 15

Causes of thunderstorms ofthe % 10 Figure 1: Causes of thunderstorm 5 0 Disrupt Lose Injured Burns Death Effects of thunderstorm and lightning human property life & lives In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, 33% of the Effects of thunderstorms & Lightning respondents reported TS disrupted in human life, 27% of the respondents were lost their property and Figure 2. Effects of thunderstorm and lightning lives, 16% of the respondents were injured, 9% of the respondents were burnt and 7% of the respondents Effects of thunderstorm and lightning on human were death due to TS and lightning (Figure 2). In health Melandaha Upazila, 38% of the respondents reported TS have recently attracted more attention in terms of TS disrupted in human life, 29% of the respondents causing not only social and environmental problems were lost their property and lives, 14% of the but also health problems including their influence on respondents were injured, 13% of the respondents humans. In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, peoples were burnt and 6% of the respondents were death due suffered with different diseases from TS and to TS and lightning (Figure 2). According to Daily lightning which is showed in the Figure 3. Star (2015), the felling of millions of trees even Survey result showed the list of diseases that was deaths due to lightning hazard, many houses and reported by the respondents. It was found that 70% academic activities are being seriously damaged, of the respondent suffered with light dumb diseases crops and trees are uprooted even death and fires. from TS and lightning, compared to 20% of the Some people were killed and some were injured in every year and others animals were being death and respondents suffered with moderate dumb diseases and 10% of them were suffered from severe dumb injured. The storm destroyed over 100 houses, crops diseases. It also revealed that 40% of the respondent on two hectres of land uprooted a number of trees. suffered with light chronic diseases by TS and

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Thunderstorms and lightning in Mymensingh and Jamalpur lightning, compared to 36% of the respondents affected with dumb disease. It also showed that 36% suffered with moderate chronic diseases, 20% of of the respondent suffered with light chronic diseases them were suffered from severe chronic diseases and by TS and lightning, compared to 24% of the 4% of the respondents not affected with chronic respondents suffered with moderate chronic diseases, disease. It was found that 54% of the respondent 30% of them were suffered from severe chronic suffered with light heart failure diseases by TS and diseases and 10% of the respondents not affected lightning, compared to 16% of the respondents with chronic disease. It also showed that 42% of the suffered with moderate heart failure diseases and respondent suffered with light chronic diseases by TS 30% of them were suffered from severe heart failure and lightning, compared to 26% of the respondents diseases. It also revealed that 26% of the respondent suffered with moderate chronic diseases and 32% of suffered with light stroke diseases by TS and them were suffered from severe chronic diseases. lightning, compared to 20% of the respondents suffered with moderate stroke diseases, 40% of them Not at all were suffered from severe stroke diseases and 14% 70 Light of the respondents not affected with stroke 60 Moderate Severe disease.54% of the respondent suffered with light 50 skin irritation diseases by TS and lightning, 40 compared to 6% of the respondents suffered with 30 moderate skin irritation diseases, 34% of them were 20

suffered from severe skin irritation diseases and 6% the respondents of % 10 of the respondents not affected with skin irritation 0 disease. It also found that 16% of the respondent suffered with light headache diseases by TS and lightning, compared to 46% of the respondents suffered with moderate headache diseases, 18% of Health problem them were suffered from severe headache diseases and 20% of the respondents not affected with Figure 3. Health problems caused by thunderstorm headache disease. 34% of the respondent suffered with light asthma diseases by TS and lightning, It also revealed that 36% of the respondent suffered compared to 18% of the respondents suffered with with light stroke diseases by TS and lightning, moderate asthma diseases, 40% of them were compared to 28% of the respondents suffered with suffered from severe asthma diseases and 8% of the moderate stroke diseases, 30% of them were suffered respondents not affected with asthma disease It also from severe stroke diseases and 6% of the showed that 48% of the respondent suffered with respondents not affected with stroke disease.34% of light neural damage diseases by TS and lightning, the respondent suffered with light skin irritation compared to 18% of the respondents suffered with diseases by TS and lightning, compared to 28% of moderate neural damage diseases, 32% of them were the respondents suffered with moderate skin irritation suffered from severe neural damage diseases and 2% diseases, 20% of them were suffered from severe of the respondents not affected with neural damage skin irritation diseases and 18% of the respondents disease (Figure 3). In Melandaha Upazila, peoples not affected with skin irritation disease. It also found suffered with different diseases from TS and that 34% of the respondent suffered with light lightning. Survey result showed the list of diseases headache diseases by TS and lightning, compared to that was reported by the respondents. It was found 22% of the respondents suffered with moderate that 34% of the respondent suffered with light dumb headache diseases, 28% of them were suffered from diseases by TS and lightning, compared to 22% of severe headache diseases and 16% of the respondents the respondents suffered with moderate dumb not affected with headache disease. 36% of the diseases, 28% of them were suffered from severe respondent suffered with light asthma diseases by TS dumb diseases and 4% of the respondents not and lightning, compared to 24% of the respondents

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suffered with moderate asthma diseases, 30% of In Mymensingh Sadar Upazila, all of the respondents them were suffered from severe asthma diseases and reported that it is not safe to go fishing during 10% of the respondents not affected with asthma thunderstorm and lightning. About 53% of the disease It also showed that 42% of the respondent respondents said that fishes were at risk condition at suffered with light neural damage diseases by TS and the time of TS and lightning and about 47% of the lightning, compared to 26% of the respondents respondents reported that fishes were at very risk suffered with moderate neural damage diseases and condition during TS and lightning (Figure 5). 32% of them were suffered from severe neural Mymensingh Sadar Upazila damage diseases (Figure 4). 60 Not at all 45 Light 50 40 Moderate Severe 40 35 30 30 25 20 20

15 the respondents of % 10 10 0 % of the respondents ofthe % 5 Risk very risk no risk 0 Condition of fish

Melandaha Upazila Health problem Figure 4. Health problems caused by thunderstorm 70 60 dents Lightning can affect all organ systems, especially the 50 cardiovascular system. Central nervous system 40 injuries are common. Transient confusion, paralysis 30 and amnesia are likely. Coagulation of the brain, 20 subdural hematomas or collections of blood the respon of % 10 surrounding the brain, and bleeding within the brain 0 is possible with direct strikes. About one half of all Risk very risk no risk lightning victims will have some type of eye damage, Condition of fish usually corneal injury. The most common serious eye Figure 5. Effects of thunderstorm and lightning on injuries are cataracts which can occur from a few fisheries. days to several years after the lightning strike. Other eye injuries include retinal bleeding, retinal In Melandaha Upazila, all of the respondents detachment and optic nerve degeneration. There may reported that it is not safe to go fishing during also be transient autonomic nerve disturbances which thunderstorm and lightning. About 67% of the can result in dilated or contracted pupils even respondents said that fishes were at risk condition at without concurrent head injury. The ears are also the time of TS and lightning and about 33% of the commonly affected with over 50% of lightning respondents reported that fishes were at very risk victims having ruptured ear drums. Transient hearing condition during TS and lightning (Figure 5). loss and tinnitus affect most survivors of lightning strikes. Vertigo or dizziness has also been reported Effects on thunderstorm and lightning in (Hark, 2000). agriculture Thunderstorm and lightning affected the agricultural Effects of thunderstorm and lightning on fisheries production very much. In Mymensingh Sadar

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Thunderstorms and lightning in Mymensingh and Jamalpur

Upazila, 41% of the respondents reported land was field and harvesting paddy. In Bangladesh, at least 23 unsuitable for agricultural production by TS and farmers were killed by thunderbolt when they were lightning, 39% of the respondents reported working in their crop land. Standing crops on 5000 agricultural production were decreased,26% of the acres of land were damaged by the thunderstorm and respondents reported crops were damaged and 4% of lightning and damaging 120 houses and crops on two the respondents reported crops were fired (Figure 6). hectares of land uprooted a number of trees (Daily star, 2015). Mymensingh Sadar 45 Lightning Knowledge and Experience 40 35 A last group of questions dealt withlightning 30 knowledge and experience.In Mymensingh Sadar 25 Upazila, 92% of the respondents had seen a lightning 20 damaged tree, 76% of the respondents reported that 15 lightning already hit their residential building, 78% 10 of the respondents reported that TS affect plant

% of the respondents % 5 growth, 86% of the respondents faced social 0 problems for TS, 57% of the respondents suffered from TS and any organization has no working to prevent TS and lightning (Figure 7).

120 yes Agricultural field no 100 Melandaha Upazila 80 45 40 pondeents 60 35 40 30 20 25 % the res of % 20 0 15 10

% of the of the respondents % 5 0

Lightning knowledge Figure 7. Lightning knowledge and experience

In Melandaha Upazila, 81% of the respondents had Agricultural field seen a lightning damaged tree, 67% of the Figure 6. Effects on thunderstorm and lightning in respondents reported that lightning already hit their agriculture. residential building, 90% of the respondents reported In Melandaha Upazila,19% of the respondents that TS affect plant growth, 79% of the respondents reported land was unsuitable for agricultural faced social problems for TS,64% of the respondents production by TS and lightning, 31% of the suffered from TS and any organization has no respondents reported agricultural production were working to prevent TS and lightning (Figure 8). decreased, 42% of the respondents reported crops Maria et. al. (2009) found 12% reported lightning were damaged and 8% of the respondents reported already hit their residential building, 62% said they crops were fired (Figure 6). Farmers were struck by a faced some social problems and 96% had seen a thunderstorm while they were working at a paddy lightning damaged tree.

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References 120 yes Ali A (1999). Climate change impacts and adaptation no 100 assessment in Bangladesh. Space Research and Remote Sensing Organization (SPARRSO), 80 Agargaon, Sher-e Bangla Nagar, Dhaka 60 1207, Bangladesh, 12: 109–116. Daily Star (2015). Retrived from: http://www.the 40 dailystar.net.

% of the respondents % 20 Ferdousi N, Debsarma SK, Mannan AM, Sarker M. A. 2014. Impact of data assimilation in 0 simulation of TS event over Bangladesh using WRF model. High impact weather events over the SAARC region. P. 35-48. Gomes C, Kithil R, Ahmed M (2006). Developing a lightning awareness program model third world Lightning knowledge based on American experience, Proc. of the 28th Figure 8. Lightning Knowledge and Experience Int. Conference on Lightning Protection (ICLP), Kanasawa, Japan. Conclusion Gomes C, Ahmed M, Abeysinghe KR, Hussain F (2011). Lightning accidents and awareness in In conclusion, it may be said that though Bangladesh South Asia: Experience in Sri Lanka and is not a large country, the space/time distributions of Bangladesh. Proceedings of the 28th TSs vary greatly. In southern areas, there is a wide International Conference on Lightning variation as to the intense period of TS activity. Protection (ICLP). Kanasawa, Japan. Since lightning can be monitored easily, and Hark WT (2000). The human effects of lightning continuously, from ground networks, lightning may strikes and recommendations for strom chasers. become a useful tool for monitoring changes in Karim N (1995). Disasters in Bangladesh. Natural important climate parameters in the future. Hazards.11: 247-258. The government (through Department of Kerr (2012). Lightning brings benefits as well as Meteorology) or a relevant private sector that owns troubles. Monthly by the Ag. Round up. p. 7. region-wide lightning detection system should Maria MF, Romana H, Bettina H, Alexander GK, provide thunderstorm forecasting and lightning Barbara I (2009). Lightning knowledge and information to the concerned community. This folk beliefs in South Asia. Journal of lightning should be done in collaboration with mass media, research. 1: 28-35. especially audio-visual media such as radio and National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) (2008). television. Some thunderstorms can be seen Severe Weather Primer: Thunderstorms, approaching, while others hit without warning. It is Retrived from:http:/www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/ important to learn and recognize the danger signs and tstorm/tst damage. html. to plan ahead.

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