When the sky rumbles

THE death of a teenager and a motorcyclist recently due to lightning strikes again shows how deadly this weather phenomenon can be.

The teenager was struck by lightning while playing football in Sabah while the motorcyclist was struck while riding towards his workplace in Selangor (“Motorcyclist killed by lightning strike”, May 3, online at bit.ly/star_motorbike; “Boy killed, another in hospital after lightning strike”, April 23, online at bit.ly/star_boykilled).

These are not the first such incidents, and they are likely not the last as long as people keep ignoring the danger that lightning can pose towards human beings. Hence, it is important that lightning safety be taught and practised at all levels of society.

Since thunderstorms are becoming more frequent as a result of global warming and climate change, I would like to share the following lightning safety rules with readers:

> Stop all outdoor activities and seek shelter as soon as you see thunderclouds on the horizon. Lightning can strike up to 15km away from thunderclouds – and it can strike even before rain starts.

> Run for a shelter if you can hear thunder or see a lightning bolt. You are already in danger of being struck by lightning at this point. Also, never use an umbrella in a lightning storm.

> Do not take shelter under a tree or in a tent, shed, rotunda, gazebo or at a roadside stall. Try to find shelter that has a proper lightning protection system.

> Do take shelter inside a sturdy or large building (e.g. a shop or a house), inside a metal- roofed vehicle (e.g. a bus, van or car) or under a large structure (e.g. a bridge or overhead pass). However, do not stand close to the outside of large structures to avoid being struck by falling debris if lightning strikes them.

> If there is no proper shelter nearby, get down from an elevated position (if you’re standing on a mound, hilltop, or platform), and get into any depression in the ground or a dry drain.

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

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


> If you are inside a shelter (including your house), do not touch any metallic objects, electrical equipment or cables. Do not use a land line unless it is really urgent; use a mobile phone instead. Keep away from balconies, verandahs, doorways, windows, walls and pillars.

> Stay inside your shelter for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder is heard. Remember, lightning can strike up to 15km away from thunderclouds, and can do so even after the rain has stopped.

ZA HARTONO

Kuala Lumpur

The letter writer is a lightning protection researcher and consultant.