Researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) have conducted a groundbreaking study to identify the most dangerous areas for lightning strikes in Mexico. Their findings reveal that certain regions face higher risks due to a combination of frequent lightning activity and social vulnerability.
High-Risk Regions
The study, titled Mapping Lightning Risk in Mexico: Integrating Natural Hazard and Social Vulnerability, highlights the following areas as the most dangerous for lightning-related fatalities:
- Sierra Madre Occidental
- Pacific Coast (Eastern Region)
- Yucatán Peninsula
- Central and Southeastern Mexico, including parts of Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacán
These regions experience a high number of lightning days and have populations with increased vulnerability, such as rural communities engaged in agriculture with limited access to infrastructure and education.
Key Findings
- 82.1% of lightning-related deaths occur in municipalities classified as high or very high risk.
- Fatalities have decreased over the years, dropping from 5.6 deaths per million in the 1980s to 0.3 per million in 2021.
- Urbanization and improved infrastructure have contributed to the decline in deaths, but rural areas remain highly vulnerable.
The study underscores the need for targeted prevention strategies, including public awareness campaigns and improved safety measures in high-risk zones. By integrating natural hazard data with social vulnerability factors, researchers aim to enhance disaster preparedness and reduce lightning-related fatalities across Mexico.
With information from Gaceta UNAM
