PETALING JAYA: Seek shelter immediately, stay away from trees and avoid standing in wet areas when thunderstorms strike, say safety experts ahead of the rainy spell set to impact Malaysia in the coming months.
The warning comes amid several fatal lightning incidents involving Malaysians in recent years.
In July, it was reported that a footballer died after he was believed to have been struck by lightning, while a referee was injured during a friendly match at the Rakan Muda Lendu Complex field in Melaka.
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In August, a Thai football player died while a Malaysian national was injured after they were struck by lightning during a FA Golok Cup football match at Santiphap Stadium in Sungai Golok.
In November last year, it was reported that a man was killed by lightning while returning from a fishing trip with friends at the Teluk Baru Fishermen’s Jetty near Langkawi.
In 2023, a man was killed while two others were injured after they were struck by lightning while out trapping birds in Kampung Padang Tanjung, Marang, near Kuala Terengganu.
It was reported that the three were taking shelter under a nearby tree during a thunderstorm.
“If you are in an open area, take shelter in a sturdy structure. Refrain from remaining exposed to the elements.
“In an open field, avoid being under trees, as they can become a target for lightning and pose further risks if the tree is struck.
“Where possible, avoid standing in puddles or other wet areas, as electricity can travel through water if lightning strikes nearby,” said Malaysian Federation for Occupational Safety and Health chairman Dr Abu Hasan Samad.
For those stuck in traffic, he said remaining inside a fully enclosed vehicle was relatively safer than being exposed to the elements.
“However, avoid touching metal or conductive surfaces outside the vehicle. If you are already outdoors and using an umbrella to navigate through a storm, do not prolong this.
“Use the umbrella to find somewhere to take shelter and stay there until the storm has passed,” he added.
Dr Abu Hasan said a common misconception is that lightning seen from afar will not be able to reach people.
“Lightning travels very fast. It may be seen several kilometres away, but that does not mean that it cannot reach you,” he explained.
“Storm clouds can be large, which means lightning can strike beyond the area experiencing the heavy rain.”
