Record of 700km of lightning

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) publishes new records of the longest and longest single lightning strikes ever recorded.

A bolt of lightning that stretches more than 700km from the Atlantic Ocean to Brazil and Argentina on October 31, 2018, the equivalent of the distance between the British capital London and the Swiss city of Basel, set a new record of length. of single lightning , WMO said in a statement yesterday, June 25. 

Another lightning that lit the skies of Argentina on March 4, 2019 was also recognized by WMO's Extreme Weather and Climate Committee as the longest lightning bolt, lasting for 16.73 seconds.

The new record has been verified by satellite imaging technology . They both broke the old record depth, including the longest lightning strike (321km) in the US state of Oklahoma on June 20, 2007 and the longest lightning strike (7.74 seconds) in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d 'region. Azur, southern France, on August 30, 2012.

A lightning strike occurred in Snyder, Texas, USA in June 2014. (Photo: NOAA).

"These incredible figures are a testament to the power of nature, as well as the progress of science and technology in the recording of flashy events," said Rand Randall Cerveny, principal reporter from the Time Commission. The Extreme Weather and Climate of the WMO emphasize. "New records are still likely to happen in the future and hopefully we can record them as lightning detection technology improves."

The new data will help experts set limits on the size of lightning, which may be useful in scientific research, safety warnings, or technical concerns.

Concerning this extreme weather event, India said yesterday that more than 100 people were killed and at least 30 were injured by lightning across the country; Among them, Gopalganj district recorded the highest number of deaths with 13 cases.