Lightning safety rules

Filepic/The Star

THE video clip of a mini tornado that went viral (bit.ly/tornado_video) last week is the latest evidence that they do occur in this country although their existence was officially denied more than two decades ago. Whenever such incidents occurred, they are referred to in vague terms like land spouts, downbursts and even freak storms.

These incidents have been reported without fail every year but in different parts of the country, hence they may seem to be freak storms at those places only. Mini tornadoes are short-lived tornadoes that seem to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as fast even when there is no rain.

The public should not take the mini tornado threat lightly since they have proved to be deadly in the past. One incident which occurred at a Ramadan bazaar in Melaka, about a decade ago, resulted in many injuries when stall canopies were lifted by the strong winds and crashed down on shoppers and stall owners (bit.ly/ melaka_tornado).

Mini tornadoes are usually spawned from thunderclouds. Hence the public should scan the sky periodically when they are outdoors, even when they do not hear any thunder, to avoid becoming hit by flying debris. They should seek shelter in a building and avoid going outside to take videos of the rare phenomenon.

Since the thunderstorm season has started much earlier this year and more people are going on vacation and back to their hometowns now, there is another weather event that the public should be wary of: lightning. It is prudent to know lightning safety rules:

> Stop all outdoor activities and seek shelter as soon as you see dark thunderclouds gathering. Lightning can strike up to 15km away from the thundercloud, and can do so even before the rain starts. And never use an umbrella in a lightning storm.

> Run for a shelter if you can hear thunder or see a lightning bolt. You are already in danger of being struck by lightning.

> Do not shelter under a tree or in a tent, a small shed, a kongsi, a rotunda or a roadside food stall – anything small on flat, open ground. Only take refuge in small shelters if they have a proper lightning protection system.

> Do take shelter inside a sturdy or large building (eg, a shop or house), inside a metal-roofed vehicle (eg, a bus, van or car) or under a large structure (eg, a bridge). Do not stand outside a large building in storms to avoid being struck by debris from lightning damage.

> If there is no proper shelter nearby, get down from elevated positions (eg, a mound, hilltop or platform). Get into any depression in the ground or in a dry drain.

> Get into a lightning defensive position: squat down with your feet together and cover your ears with your hands. Do not lie down, do not touch anyone or any metal objects (eg, fence, gate, etc.) near you.

> If it rains, get your clothes wet because wet clothing helps to reduce serious injuries if you are struck by lightning. Let the current flow over you instead of inside you.

> Inside a shelter, do not touch any metallic object, equipment (TV, fridge, cooker, washing machine, etc) or electric cable. Do not use a landline telephone or personal computer. Do not use a handphone that is being charged. Keep away from metal grills and the balcony, verandah, doorway, window, wall or pillar.

> Stay inside your shelter for 30 minutes after the last thunderclap is heard.

ZA HARTONO

Extreme weather and lightning expert

Kuala Lumpur