Do’s and don’ts during lightning

Shirley Wijesinghe

The Met Department has issued a lightning warning to the public with the on set of the first inter monsoonal rains.

Lightning has already claimed the life of an eight-year-girl in Ranna in the Lunugamvehera area.

The Met Department warned the public to take adequate precautions against lightning especially with regard to the use of electric items and appliances.

This can be done by following certain precautionary measures that would reduce lightning risks, a Met Dept official said.

He said harm from lightning could come in different ways.

Apart from direct strikes it could transmit via electronic or magnetic fields. He warned the public not to have electric wires tied to nearby trees.

All electrical instruments should also be disconnected from the main power supply.

Avoid handling or touching electrical instruments, the official said.

He also advised to limit the use of telephones during a thunderstorm.

“Find shelter in a safe place to avoid exposing yourself to open air. If the time interval between a lightning flash and thunder clap is less than 15 seconds, move quickly to a protected location, as there is immediate likelihood of impending danger. However there is no danger in touching , holding or carrying a person struck by lightning.