Wenslus Murape
The Herald, 27 November 1998
WHILE Zimbabweans generally look forward to the rainy season because of its link with food production, thousands of people in the communal areas unfortunately look towards it with apprehension and fear.
With Zimbabwe having the highest lightning death rate in the world, with an average of 250 deaths every season, the period from October to March has come to be known as the “season of mourning”, usually because people refuse to follow simple precautions.
With 24 deaths from one lightning strike, Zimbabwe has the sad record of having the highest number of deaths from one strike. Thirteen deaths have been recorded in the country so far this rainy season with the latest coming from Chitenga Village in Zvimba where three minors were burnt to death after their hut was struck by a lightning bolt.
While lightning cannot be avoided in some instances, people have wondered whether something can be done to reduce its high fatality rate. In 1996, the Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority and the University of Zimbabwe embarked on a $700 000 research programme to study the country’s lightning patterns.
According to a Zesa official, the aim of the programme, which is still in place, is to eventually facilitate the production of a map with the country’s lightning pattern.
This map will enable people who want to resettle or embark on certain programmes to be prepared for lightning activity in their areas. “Some incidents are as a result of people moving into an active area without realising it. If a map showing lightning activity were in place people moving into an active area would take the necessary precautions resulting in some lives and property being saved.” The official, however, expressed concern at the rate at which people in the rural areas have taken anti-lightning devices like lightning conductors. He said because conductors worked by attracting lightning towards them most people did not want them on their property as they feared that the lightning would end up striking them instead.
Lessons for today:
- During the 1990’s Zimbabwe had the highest lightning death rate in the world, about 250 deaths each rainy season, mostly because people ignored safety measures.
- According to research from meteorological services and other academic articles, each year from up to this day Zimbabwe indeed ranks among the highest globally in lightning-related fatalities. Experts estimate around 120 lightning deaths per year, but official statistics are likely underreported by 20–30 %, possibly raising the true figure. With a population of 16 million, that equates to roughly 10 deaths per million per year, and some estimates reach up to 21 per million, far above the global average.
- Zimbabwe has one of the highest lightning death rates worldwide, and rural communities often still ignore safety measures due to superstition or lack of infrastructure. Latest reports still document dozens of lightning deaths each season and frequent rural incidents. Initiatives like installing lightning-detection systems via University of Zimbabwe IEEE collaborations exist, but these remain limited pilot projects.
Online Reporter