GUANGZHOU: Twelve people have been killed in lightning accidents in South China's Guangdong Province this year. Four people have been injured, with the number of lightning incidents reaching 37.

Last year lightning killed 100 in the province and injured 114.

More than 150 buildings were damaged in 2004 and direct economic losses totalled 183 million yuan (US$22 million), according to the provincial anti-lightning disaster office.

A spokesperson said the statistics highlight the need to enhance people's awareness of accidents caused by lightning.

In one incident on May 26, two primary school pupils were killed and two injured by lightning in Lianjiang.

On May 9, lightning hit the general electricity control system of Guangzhou Railway Station, temporarily stopping power to several clocks and escalators in passenger halls.

More than 4,000 household electrical appliances including washing machines, computers, air conditioners and refrigerators were damaged by a lightning strike in Heyuan on May 6.

A railway power grid in Shaoguan was struck on May 3, causing a 100-minute blackout on the southern section of the Beijing-Guangzhou Railway. Many trains were delayed.

The anti-lightning disaster office said one of the reasons for the increase in lightning accidents in Guangdong was that urbanization and global warming have led to more thunderstorms.

On average, Guangzhou, for example, is hit by thunderstorms 87.6 days a year.

The city recorded 300 lightning-related accidents last year, which killed 17 and injured 32.

The cities of Shaoguan, Meizhou, Foshan and Qingyuan saw more than 200 such cases each last year.

Source: China Daily