Lightning – General Precautions

What is Lightning?

Lightning is a massive electric discharge that occurs in the Earth’s atmosphere. It is formed due to the interaction between the upward-moving air and downward gravitational force on ice particles within thunderclouds. This process creates positive and negative charges in the upper and lower layers of the clouds, respectively. Due to this difference in charges, a large amount of electric energy builds up. Eventually, the insulation capacity of the air breaks down, leading to a lightning flash.

Lightning discharge in the atmosphere mainly occurs in three ways:

1. Within the same thunder cloud
2. From one thundercloud to another
3. From a thunder cloud to the ground

The third type, where electric discharge moves from a thundercloud toward the ground, is known as a lightning strike.

Damage caused by lightning strikes:

• Loss of life, animals, property, and infrastructure: When high-voltage lightning strikes, the sudden surge in heat increases the pressure in the air around the electric path, causing a loud thunderclap. Intense thunder or a sudden bright flash can cause temporary or permanent hearing loss or blindness. A person affected by a sudden strike may experience confusion or long-term psychological trauma.
• Attraction to tall objects: As lightning moves rapidly toward the ground, seeking earthing, it is more likely to strike the tallest object in the area if that object is a good conductor. Due to the intense pressure, windows of tall buildings can shatter, and the strike can cause significant damage to buildings, poles, and infrastructure.
• Explosion and fire risks: Non-conductive materials like wood or stone walls may explode if they are in the path of high-pressure lightning. If forests, buildings, chemical or oil factories, or flammable materials are struck by lightning, it can lead to fire outbreaks.

Lightning – General Precautions

When in Open Areas:
• If the gap between a lightning flash and the thunder sound is 30 seconds or less, lightning is likely to strike within 5 km- you are at serious risk.
• If you’re in open fields or farmland with nothing taller around, seek shelter immediately.
• Avoid isolated trees, poles, towers, metal bus stops, and tin sheds for shelter- they are unsafe.
• Do not take shelter near conductive items like tall trees, electric poles, or water sources.
• If on a hill or mountain, descend immediately.
• Stay as far away as possible from swimming pools, ponds, seas, and other water bodies.
• Remember: wearing rubber boots or gloves does not protect you from lightning.
• Avoid carrying metal objects like umbrellas, sickles, shovels, or other metallic farming tools.
• Do not lie flat on the ground—minimize contact with the earth since lightning travels through it.
• To avoid ear damage from thunder, cover your ears with your hands.
• Seek shelter in a safe building.
• If no shelter is available, squat down on your toes, keep your head low and hands on your ears, and stay alert. Stay twice the distance away from the height of any nearby tree.
• Farmers, laborers, and livestock handlers working in the field should not ignore storm warnings. They should seek shelter immediately and not take refuge under trees with animals.

When Indoors:
• Stay indoors during thunderstorms and lightning.
• Being indoors doesn’t guarantee safety. Take extra precautions.
• Stay away from balconies, porches, rooftops- stay inside and shut windows and doors.
• Avoid standing near windows; stay in the center of the room. Thunder may shatter glass.
• Switch off and avoid handling electric/electronic appliances like phones, fridges, mixers, ACs, and TVs during lightning.
• Do not charge mobile phones or speak on mobile, wired, or cordless phones. Save your battery for emergencies—use SMS if possible.
• Don’t touch taps or wash under running water. Avoid showers, as lightning can travel through plumbing.
• Bring pets, livestock and cattle indoors to a safe place.
• Wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before going outside.

If Inside a Vehicle:
• If you’re in a car and can’t reach a safer location, turn off the engine and windows. Stay inside without touching any metal parts.
• If you’re in an open-top vehicle like a rickshaw, exit immediately and seek shelter in a building.

Signs of Lightning Injury:
Burns, hearing loss, vision loss, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, chest pain, headache, loss of consciousness, confusion, dizziness, muscle pain, weakness, temporary paralysis, collapse, slowed or absent pulse, or cardiac arrest.

Treatment:
• Lightning strike victims may suffer from burns, injuries, or unconsciousness—seek immediate medical help.
• Call 108 for an ambulance or rush to the nearest hospital.
• Provide first aid until help arrives.
• Do not be afraid to help a lightning victim- no residual electric charge exists.
• Move the person to a safe place, as another strike can occur in the same area.
• If unconscious, lay the person down with their head lower than their feet.
• If they are not breathing but have a pulse, provide artificial respiration.
• If they are breathing and have a pulse, check for injuries like burns, hearing/vision loss, or broken bones.