Jamshedpur Awareness Chariot: Lightning & Heatwave Safety, Census 2027 Info

Jamshedpur: In order to sensitise public on safeguard methods during natural calamities such as lightning and heatwave, East Singhbhum district administration has rolled out a chariot which will move across both urban and rural pockets across 11 blocks to create awareness, officials said on Saturday.

Deputy commissioner Rajiv Ranjan said, “The chariot will reach out to every nook and corner to create awareness on safety protocols.” He added that they will also use the vehicle for disseminating information pertaining to the House Listing and Housing Census (HLO) part of the first phase of Census 2027.

According to the state disaster management department, thundering and lighting incidents occur mostly between May and August. The data suggest that in the last 11 years (2013-14 to 2024-25) over people have died of lightning strikes in the East Singhbhum averaging about 20 deaths every year. A majority of the incidents are reported from the rural areas of Baharagora, Chakulia, Dhalbhumgarh, Potka, Patamda, Ghatsila and Dumaria.

Besides, around 150 heatwave cases, with fatalities averaging one to five, are reported annually in the district.

According to the study conducted by Environment Conservation Society, between 2019-2023 East Singhbhum recorded 35-46 heat days in summer implying temperature equal to or above 40 Degree Celsius. In 2024, a total 263 heatwave cases were reported with six suspected heatwave linked deaths.