7020_xml
20210129080000
assa
nadiag@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
1996-7489
01292021
117
1/2
Lightning monitoring and detection techniques: Progress and challenges in South Africa
Maqsooda
Mahomed
Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1869-2722
Alistair D.
Clulow
Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Discipline of Agrometeorology, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8803-8780
Sheldon
Strydom
Discipline of Agrometeorology, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, School of Geo and Spatial Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-5006-2029
Michael J.
Savage
Discipline of Agrometeorology, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6108-0874
Tafadzwanashe
Mabhaudhi
Centre for Water Resources Research, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems, School of Agricultural, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9323-8127
Globally, lightning causes significant injury, death, and damage to infrastructure annually. In comparison to the rest of the world, South Africa has one of the highest incidences of lightning-related injuries and deaths. The latest available lightning detection techniques and technologies are reviewed and include current research in South Africa and South Africa’s lightning detection challenges. Technological advances have contributed towards improving lightning detection and monitoring activities in many countries. South Africa has made considerably more progress in the field of lightning research than other African countries and possesses one of the three ground-based lightning detection networks in the southern hemisphere. However, despite these developments, rural communities in South Africa, and indeed in Africa, remain vulnerable to lightning, the occurrence of which is predicted to increase with climate change. A large proportion of the population of African countries resides in rural areas, where citizens participate in subsistence farming, and built infrastructure is not lightning safe. We recommend a call for the integration of indigenous and scientific knowledge as well as for the development of a participatory early warning system. Investigations into determining the most effective way to utilise existing monitoring networks – but with warning dissemination to rural communities – are also required. Lastly, future research on the development of lightning-safe rural dwellings or shelters, especially in lightning prone areas, is needed.
01292021
1
10.17159/sajs.2016/crossmark
sajs.co.za
false
2020-09-04
2020-07-09
2021-01-29
Inyuvesi Yakwazulu-Natali
http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004695
Durban Research Action Partnership
Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
South African National Biodiversity Institute
uMgungundlovu District Municipality
Centre for Transformative Agricultural and Food Systems
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
10.17159/sajs.2021/7020
20210129080000
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806
-
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/7020/10806