Strategic Interventions to Mitigate the Hazard of Lightning
Lusaka, Zambia, 11–13th August, 2015
The African Centers for Lightning and Electromagnetics (ACLE) held its second symposium in Lusaka, Zambia from 11– 13th August 2015. The symposium, entitled “Strategic Interventions to Mitigate the Hazard of Lightning,” drew 48 participants from 17 countries including Benin, Cameroon, Egypt, India, Iraq, Malawi, Malaysia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uganda, the USA, Zimbabwe and the host country Zambia.
The Symposium celebrated the inauguration of ACLENet’s first National Center, the Zambia National Center for Lightning and Electromagnetics (ACLE- Zambia). ACLE-Zambia is the product of the tireless efforts of Mrs. Foster Chileshe Lubasi and her team and the first of many envisioned by ACLE. Hon. Lazarus B Chungu, the deputy minister in the office of the Vice– President and the Symposium chief guest, officially inaugurated ACLE– Zambia and expressed optimism in reducing lightning– related disasters in Zambia and the entire African Continent. The symposium was sponsored by the NAM S&T Centre, Earth NetworksSM, Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit, DMMU, Zambia, Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority and Lusaka City Council, Zambia
An important outcome of the conference was the unanimous adoption of the Resolution for Declaration of an International Lightning Safety Day to be presented by each in attendance to their respective governments for adoption by the United Nations.
The invited expert tutorials included:
Weather Patterns across Africa by Mr. Ngamini Jean Blaise, Cameroon
Lightning Physics by Prof. Ian Jandrell of University of Witwatersrand, South Africa
Lightning Detection Systems by Dr. Charlie Liu of Earth Networks, Inc., USA
Populations at Risk from Lightning and Sources of Data by Ronald Holle of USA
Mechanisms of Injury and Medical Effects of Lightning Injury by Prof. Mary Ann Cooper, MD, of USA
Lightning Protection by Prof. Chandima Gomes of University Putra, Malaysia
A Strategic and Structured Approach to Effective Lightning Safety and Protection by Mr. Ian McKechnie of South Africa.
Scientific papers from other attendees included:
Concept, Progress and Preliminary Results from Permanent Gnss Networks in Africa by Prof. Salah Mahmoud, Egypt
Standard and Lightning Protection by Mr. Elliot Nketani Kabalo of ZICTA, Zambia
Impact of Lightning in the Events of Severe Atmospheric Conditions by Prof. Mohd. Zainal Abidin Ab Kadir, Malaysia
Extended Maxwell’s Equations by Prof. Arbab Ibrahim Mohamed of Sudan
Strategies for Understanding Lightning Myths and Beliefs by Mr. Innocent Masukwedza, Zimbabwe
Lightning: Awareness and Protection Practices in Nepal by Prof. Dr. Shri Ram Sharma, Nepal
Lightning and Dwelling Facilities by Mr. Patrick M. Simuchimba, Lusaka City Council, Zambia
Lightning Evolution during Severe Tropical Cyclones by Dr. Anirban Guha,India
Spatio-Temporal Analyses of Lightning Activities over Pakistan – Preliminary Results to Devise Strategic Interventions to Mitigate the Lightning Hazards by Dr. Muhammad Imran Shahzad, Pakistan
Protection of Power Stations and Gas Heat from Solar Storms System {Geomagnetic} by Engr. Faris Salih Mehdi Al Shaikhly, Iraq
Mitigation of Lightning-Induced Overvoltages in Medium Voltage Distribution Lines by means of Periodical Grounding of Shielding Wires and of Surge Arresters: Modeling and Experimental Validation by Er. Muhammed Musa Gaji, Nigeria
Structural Lightning Protection System for Large Exposed Area by Mr. Nuwan Kumarasinghe, Sri Lanka
Working with Government Organisations and Private Companies to decrease Deaths, Injuries and Property Damage from Lightning by Mr. Richard Tushemereirwe, Uganda
Strategic Intervention on Lightning Protection Improvement for Entebbe Control Tower by Er. Barongo Ronny, Uganda
Lightning Effects and Solutions for Wireless Transmission Stations by Mr. Sebastian K. Namukolo, Zambia
Saving Lives in Lake Victoria by Mr. Yeleise Julius, Uganda
