Natural forces like lightning and heat killed 6,444 in 2023, says NCRB report, Pg2.

Key Highlights:

• In 2023, natural forces caused 6,444 deaths in India, according to the NCRB report.
• Lightning strikes were the leading cause, accounting for 2,560 deaths or 39.7% of the total.
• Heat stroke caused 804 deaths, while exposure to cold resulted in 733 deaths.
• Odisha recorded the highest number of deaths due to natural forces with 1,351 fatalities.
• Snake bites caused 10,144 deaths, marking a 0.6% increase from the previous year.

Detailed Insights:

• Overall deaths from natural forces decreased by 20% compared to 2022, but deaths from heat stroke and cold exposure increased by 10% and 1.8%, respectively.
• The majority (63.6%) of victims who died due to natural forces were in the age group of 30-60 years.
• Telangana recorded the highest proportion of deaths due to heat or sun stroke, with 62% of its fatalities attributed to this cause.
• Landslides accounted for the highest proportion of deaths in hilly states like Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
• In 53 cities, natural forces caused 602 deaths, with heat and cold exposure accounting for 21.1% and 19.6% of these deaths, respectively.

Key Concepts Involved:

• NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau): Indian government agency responsible for collecting and analyzing crime data.
• Heat Stroke: A condition caused by overheating of the body, usually due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
• Landslide: The movement of rock, earth, or debris down a sloped section of land.