Researchers have observed the impact of climate changes on overhead line outages. It is known that
overhead lines are very prone to lightning strikes due to their height and location which are normally in
an open and exposed area. Studies have also reported that transmission and distribution lines experience
very high failure rates due to lightning strikes. The tropics experience greater lightning activities and
have higher peaks where transmission lines suffer frequent line outages. This paper examined studies
that have been conducted on line outages due to lightning activities, especially in the tropical areas.
Lightning detection system is also discussed as well as how to evaluate line performance. Seasonal
variation of lightning occurrences and line outage pattern help to predict lightning occurrences and to
optimise a suitable power protection system of overhead lines. It has been widely reported that lightning
occurrences and line outages are significantly related and lightning activity was more prevalent during
inter monsoon seasons.