In Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh, India, a 30-year-old man died after being struck by lightning, which, according to a doctor’s assumption, was linked to the use of a mobile phone. The tragic incident occurred while the man was speaking on his smartphone, reports India Today.

Here are the details of the incident, expert opinions, and scientific facts debunking the idea that phones attract lightning.

What Happened?

On June 14, 2025, 30-year-old Rohit Kumar Sinha died after being struck by lightning. According to his relatives, he had returned home from work and stepped into the yard to check on the construction of a toilet. At that moment, he was talking on his mobile phone.
Lightning struck Rohit, and reports say his smartphone exploded in his hand. He sustained severe injuries, including burns and internal damage. He was rushed to a local hospital, but due to the critical nature of his condition, he was being transferred to a district hospital when he died en route.

A doctor who examined him suggested that the phone might have “attracted” the lightning due to its “radiation and magnetic components.” This statement sparked debate, as scientific evidence contradicts such claims.

Doctor’s Opinion vs. Scientific Facts

The doctor at the Dhamtari hospital claimed that the phone’s radio waves and magnetic elements may have triggered the lightning strike and caused the device to explode. However, this view is not supported by science and is based on an outdated myth.

Scientific Facts:

  1. Phone Radiation:
    • Smartphones emit non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation in the range of 700–2600 MHz (4G/5G). This is far too weak to interact with atmospheric electricity.
    • Research: The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) confirm that radio waves from phones do not affect lightning. Lightning is a discharge with millions of volts caused by large-scale atmospheric factors like humidity and potential differences — not by micro-signals from devices.
  2. Magnetic Components:
    • Phones contain small magnets (in speakers, magnetometers, or for charging, such as MagSafe). Their magnetic fields (measured in microteslas) work over just a few centimeters and are incapable of attracting lightning.
    • Comparison: Even powerful MRI magnets (1.5–3 Tesla) don’t influence atmospheric electricity. The magnets in smartphones are thousands of times weaker.
  3. Phones and Lightning:
    • The myth that phones attract lightning originated in the 1990s due to mistaken assumptions (such as a 1998 British Medical Journal article). Modern studies, including data from NOAA and NASA, disprove this.
    • Fact: Using a phone does not increase the risk of being struck by lightning. The real danger comes from being outdoors during a storm, not from having a gadget.
    • Phone Explosion: The likely cause of the phone exploding was its lithium-ion battery overheating or short-circuiting due to the massive lightning discharge — a secondary effect, not the cause of the strike.

What Conclusions Can Be Drawn?

Rohit’s phone did not "attract" lightning. The strike occurred because he was outdoors during a thunderstorm. The doctor’s statement reflects a widespread myth unsupported by scientific evidence.

Why Does the Phone-and-Lightning Myth Persist?

  • Fear of Technology: New gadgets often spark distrust, especially when their workings are not well understood.
  • Coincidental Cases: Rare events like Rohit’s get media coverage, reinforcing false beliefs.
  • Confusion with Conductors: People mistakenly equate phones with metallic objects (like umbrellas or fishing rods) that can conduct electricity after a lightning strike.

Statistics: The annual risk of being struck by lightning is about 1 in 500,000. In India, roughly 2,000 people die from lightning strikes each year due to frequent storms and rural lifestyles (India Meteorological Department, 2024).

How to Stay Safe During a Thunderstorm

To prevent such tragedies, follow these guidelines:

  • The 30/30 Rule: If the time between lightning and thunder is less than 30 seconds, seek shelter immediately (a building or a car with windows closed).
  • Avoid:
    • Open fields, hills, or bodies of water.
    • Tall trees or solitary structures.
    • Metal objects (like umbrellas or fishing rods).
  • Safe Places: Indoors or inside a car, you are safe even if using a phone.
  • Phone Use: Using a smartphone does not increase lightning risk, but avoid charging it during storms to prevent damage from power surges.

Tip: In rural areas, installing lightning rods on homes and construction sites is also recommended.