Possible Lightning Hazards to Humans near Giant Ancient Stupa

This paper presents an investigation of the maximum possible voltage levels that can be built up due to a lightning strike on three giant heritage stupas namely Jetawanaramaya, Abayagiriya and Ruwannweliseya in Sri Lanka, having an excessive historical importance in an ancient world as 3
^rd
, 5
^th
and 7
^th
tallest brick structures in the world respectively. A mathematical model developed on COMSOL Multiphysics software package was used to simulate scenarios of different weather conditions, different material properties and possible worst-case scenarios. It was found that the maximum possible step and touch voltage levels built up are under the tolerable values which imply no harm to the people in the proximity.