GIS-based spatial analysis for lightning scenario in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh has witnessed alarmingly rising lightning frequency, particularly during pre-monsoon and monsoon seasons. This has resulted in significant annual death tolls from lightning strikes over the past decade. Recognizing this crisis, the country officially declared lightning casualties a natural disaster in 2016. This study delves deeper into the landscape of lightning fatalities and causalities in Bangladesh. Utilizing secondary data sources, this research introduces a unique approach by integrating Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) data and NASA's Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS) data from the International Space Station's (ISS) Near-real Time (NRT) mission. This combined dataset allows for a more comprehensive analysis. Furthermore, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was employed to analyze spatial distributions and generate maps. The Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation tool was used to create detailed spatial distribution maps of lightning fatalities, thunderstorm days (TSDs), and lightning flash frequency (LFF) across Bangladesh. The analysis revealed that farmers and fishermen were the most vulnerable populations, with the northeastern regions experiencing the highest impact. Sylhet division emerged as the area with the most fatalities, highlighting the northeastern zone's susceptibility. The study also identified monsoons as the period with the highest occurrences of lightning deaths and injuries. By combining innovative data integration and spatial analysis, this study offers valuable insights into the alarming trend of lightning fatalities in Bangladesh. These findings can inform targeted prevention strategies and interventions to safeguard vulnerable populations and communities.