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Beware! It’s that time of year
By N. Dilshath Banu
While the country experiences heavy rains, the prevailing inter-monsoon period spells another deadly natural disaster - lightning. The Department of Metereology says lightning hazards are inevitable in the two inter-monsoon periods, March-April and October-November.

“Lightning is an electrical discharge with a very high voltage. It releases the discharges in between clouds, in between cloud and ground and in between cloud and air. The deadliest one is what strikes in between the cloud and the ground,” said K.R. Abhayasingha Bandara, Director of the Met. Department.

“The determining factor of whether a particular flash could be deadly is whether a person is in the path of the lightning discharge. In addition to the visible flash that travels through the air, the current associated with the lightning discharge travels along the ground. Although some are struck directly by the main lightning stroke, many are struck as the current moves along the ground,” said Mr. Bandara.

Annually there are nearly 50 deaths due to lightning hazards in the inter-monsoon periods. “During this inter-monsoon period, we must be alert between 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. as there is a possibility that lightning could occur during this period. From 4.p.m. to 7 p.m. is the greatest possibility of lightning hazards,” said Mr. Bandara.

“One of the peculiar aspects of lightning is that it strikes the tallest objects. If there is a tree which is taller than a building, the lightning would strike the tree. But if there’s an antenna, communication tower or any metallic substance, which is highly conductive, the chances of lightning getting drawn to these conductors are more likely than to other materials,” explained Mr. Bandara.

Sitting inside a car, although it is made of metal, is safe. “When lightning strikes the car, it travels along the outside and goes to the earth. It’s similar with other covered equipment like aeroplanes. But when you are in a tractor or on a motor cycle, you are not protected,” he said.

First aid
When the electrical discharge passes through you, your body will be numb for a while and sometimes your heart may stop for a moment. While rushing the affected person to hospital, the following steps should be considered:-

The body should be massaged thoroughly

Artificial respiration could be attempted.

“There is no danger in holding a person who has been struck by lightning,” said Mr. Bandara

Precautionary measures
Outdoors:
Avoid open grounds- If your hair stands erect, it’s a sign that you will be struck by lightning soon; bend down and curl yourself up, to avoid being hit directly.

Avoid standing beside isolated trees and in high places - The hazards will be minimal among many trees, but avoid the tallest among them.
Indoors:

a) Disconnect electrical home appliances and avoid touching them, including wired telephones.

b) If your home is not properly protected through an earth rod or lightning rod, make sure to sit on a non-metal chair or stool. The more you make yourself small the less chance of being hit by lightning.

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