Study of transfer of charge by point discharge in the atmosphere

The measurement of point discharge current has been made at Visakhapatnam from December 1972 through November 1974. The annual loss or gain of charge through an artificial point per sq. km during one year is computed from the point discharge current data. It is found that the annual net point discharge during thunderstorm periods is 16 C/km² and 113 C/km² during all weather conditions. Further the charge ratio negative to positive during thunderstorm periods is 2.42, and for all weather conditions it is 1.83.