A study of lightning disaster assessment and zoning on the Qinghai Plateau

With the development of society, including the proliferation of high-rise buildings, modern electronic facilities, and public service areas, the occurrence of lightning events and the resulting losses have been rising year by year, manifesting in diverse ways. Therefore, this study develops a comprehensive framework to assess lightning disaster risk across Qinghai Province. Utilising statistical data on lightning along with socio-economic indicators, we establish a multi-dimensional index system for risk assessment, which incorporates causative hazard factors, exposure levels, and vulnerability characteristics. Combined with analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to quantify risk in different regions, revealing that extremely high-risk, high-risk, and moderate-risk areas comprise 21.83%, 44.41% and 33.76% of the province, respectively. This risk distribution underscores the need for region-specific lightning protection strategies: enhancing protective infrastructure and technical inspections in economically advanced areas, and improving awareness and education on lightning risks in less developed regions. The findings provide critical, data-driven support for targeted lightning prevention and management on the Qinghai Plateau.