Santa Catarina, Rio de Janeiro and Tocantins had the highest lightning densities in the country in the three summer months of 2022, according to an index produced, for the first time, by the Elat (Atmospheric Electricity) group of Inpe (National Institute for Space Research).
The new index makes the relationship between the number of rays that affect a state and the area of ​​the federative unit. The importance of this type of data, according to Osmar Pinto Jr., coordinator of Elat, is to alert to the risk of a person being hit.
In theory, the higher the value, the greater the chance of being hit by an electrical discharge. But, of course, there are several other elements that impact these chances of being hit, such as the number of inhabitants, local habits and level of awareness of the population. In this way, the index tells part of the story.
Anyway, Elat estimates that, last summer, there was an average probability of one in 20 thousand of being struck by lightning in SC, RJ and TO.
In all, the first three months of this year had 21.4 million lightning strikes across the country (with January leading the way in terms of electrical discharges), about 11% more than last summer. The increase may be associated with La Niña, according to Inpe.
The more than 21 million lightning strikes in this period caused 21 deaths (data still preliminary), a slightly lower number than that recorded in the summer of 2021, with 29 deaths.
“People don’t have this knowledge”, says Pinto Jr, about the risks of being hit by electrical discharges depending on the time of year. The researcher from Elat/Inpe defends a greater awareness of the subject for the population.
In the Southeast, for example, summer usually has the highest frequency of lightning. In the South and North, spring has a higher concentration of electrical discharges, says Pinto Jr.
This becomes even more relevant when considering the number of people who die per year in Brazil hit by lightning, an average of 110 (considering the period from 2000 to 2019). In the world ranking, this takes the country to seventh place, according to Inpe.
When it comes to lightning striking the ground, of course the most serious problem is deaths. But electrical discharges are also responsible for financial losses by damaging structures and equipment.
Brazil is world champion of lightning. On average, there are more than 77 million discharges per year falling in the country.
And, according to Inpe researchers, the new climate dynamics brought about by the climate crisis should increase the number of lightning strikes in Brazil even more. The country can reach about 100 million annually.
In the intermediate scenario for reducing greenhouse gas emissions projected by the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), from 2081 to 2100, the North region may have an increase of up to 30% in the lightning record. Then come the Midwest (24%) and Southeast (18%).
Even in the best scenarios of global warming — difficult to achieve with the pace of emissions and with plans for the coming years — the increases in the North, Midwest and Southeast are above or very close to 10%.
According to Pinto Jr, the idea is, every three months, to present the updated lightning density index and, thus, be able to follow the changes in lightning dynamics across the country with the passing of the seasons and with the advance of the climate crisis.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
According to the researcher from Inpe, the main way to avoid tragedies with lightning is through information.
In storms, for example, it is recommended to avoid the use of equipment that is connected to the electrical network and also not to be close to outlets inside the house.
Another indication is not to use a corded phone or a cell phone that is connected to the charger. Bathing in electric showers, proximity to metal windows and doors and taps and pipes should also be avoided. Even buildings with lightning rods are not fully protected.
During storms, it’s worth looking for shelter and not staying in open areas or near bodies of water.
