June 20, 2020
Lightning is the most dramatic and disastrous, yet very common natural phenomenon causing damage beyond repair in high hills of Nepal. Understating the phenomenon of the lightening, and applying the most effective mitigation measures, is the best solution to overcome the potential losses.
The Solar Lifting Water Supply and Sanitation project from Ramkot, Rupa Rural Municipality Ward no. 7, is an ongoing project of Unica Foundation which is estimated to end by July 2021. Similarly, the Kalika WASH project in the Pokhara Metropolitan City, ward no. 28, is our completed project having a solar lifting system for drinking water supply. Both communities are from Kaski and the projects has been implemented in coordination with Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS) Kaski. The two largest projects of Unica Foundation are put into effect to improve the quality of life by setting up a sustainable and qualitatively safe drinking water supply system, through installation of a solar and pump system in communities without any other source of water supply at all.
On February 2020, a problem was reported from Kalika. The second pump stopped lifting water from the 9th of February, having problems in the lifting motor. With the detailed discussion and consultation, the cause was assumed to be an effect of lighting and thunderstorm occurred a day before. Based on the understanding, technicians from solar system suppliers were brought in for detailed examination. The inspection by the technicians confirmed the burning in the circuit caused damage in the junction box of the solar panels. Further, the DC breaker switch and DC surge protector were damaged due to fire. The incident stroked not only the system but the committee, NRSC and stakeholders as one sudden natural event damaged such large system in a flash failing the whole system.
More than 1,000 people are killed by lightning and loss of property incurred due to the lightning strikes can be estimated to be well above billions of dollars each year around the globe. Although the developed countries are able to mitigate the loss of lives and the loss of property, the developing countries on the other hand are worst affected. The main reason behind this is the lack of knowledge among the scientific community of these countries and the ignorance by the respective governments and authorities. Moreover, as the casualties occur in isolation the loss due to lightning is underrated. A lightning protection system (LPS) functions to prevent damage and protect structures from fire or any mechanical destruction. It prevents dangerous sparking in the structure and safely discharge and distribute lightning current to earth.
Lesson learned from lightning damage in Kalika did Unica Foundation realize that the proposed solar supply system projects are incomplete without the LPS. As the Ramkot project is still in progress, adding the LPS component to the system would ensure the sustainability of project. Installation of a robust LPS in both Ramkot and the (completed) Kalika project has been agreed, to proceed to insure sustained energy catch for safe drinking water supply in rural communities of Nepal.
[The project was sanctioned already and Suryodaya Urja, the company that commissioned by the NRCS to undertake the job, was about to start deploying their staff for installations work. They have to put the plan on hold due to the lockdown. The work will be carried out as soon as the lockdown is lifted.]
