Assam Current affairs 2021 : On the night of may 12, 2021, At least 18 elephants have died in a forest in Nagaon district of Assam, seemingly due to a lightning strike.
What happened?
• On the night of May 12, 2021, eighteen elephants died in the Kundoli proposed Reserve Forest located in Bamuni hillock.
• Preliminary investigation into the deaths by the forest department has revealed that the wild elephants could have been killed in lighting strikes.
• The samples have been sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, College of Veterinary Science in Guwahati as well as to the Northeast Disease Diagnosis Laboratory for further investigation.
Number of casualties :
Around ten females and eight females died in the incident. They were all found on the hilltop within a radius of hundred to 150 metres.
How does lightning kill animals?
Lightning may injure or kill animals in a number of ways such as:
- Direct Flash: An animal in an open field may be struck directly by lightning if part of its body protrudes over other objects in the vicinity. Taller animals are more vulnerable.
- Side Flash: When lightning strikes a tall object such as a tree, it may generate a side flash that can strike an animal standing underneath the tree.
- Touch Potential: If one part of a tall animal’s body is in contact with the ground while another part, at a higher elevation, comes in contact with a lightning-struck object, a partial current may pass through its body.
- Step Potential: The most common lightning hazard among four-legged animals. When an animal’s front and hind feet are far enough apart, a partial current may pass through the body in certain circumstances.
Conclusion :
The Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s orders for an inquiry, a seven-member committee headed by the Deputy Conservator of Forest. The team will Submit detailed investigation report within 15 days.
