Lightning alert issued for Kerala, state disaster management body lists precautions

With summer rains lashing the state, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has issued warning for people to take precautions against lightning that is accompanying the showers.

“Strong lightening is likely to be seen over Kerala after 2pm during the summer rains. It is highly dangerous and it has been reported that it is causing threat to life and electrical appliances,” said KSDMA on Wednesday.  

Though there are no visible signs of lightning, people should avoid open spaces if the sky is cloudy after 2pm. KSDMA has also listed a set of precautions that are to be followed to prevent unforeseen incidents during lightning.

“Prevent children from playing in open spaces after 2pm. People should also not rush outside in open area or terrace to pick the clothes laid for drying. There have been many incidents previously of women getting fatal injuries in lighting strike while going to open spaces in the house,” stated the KSDMA release.

The other guidelines of KSDMA are:

• Remember to turn off electrical equipment during the night.
• Get inside safe locations within a building when you see signs of lightning.
• Keep doors and windows closed and stay away from metallic items at home. Try mostly to stay at central spaces inside the house, away from walls.
• Do not use landline phones at the time of lightning.
• If outside, avoid being under trees. If inside vehicles, halt in open area.
• It is possible to get injuries to ears, eyes or sustain burns because of the impact of lighting strike. The first 30 seconds are very important. Primary medication should be given at once.

Meanwhile, the state has also incurred significant agricultural losses because of the summer rains over the past week. As per the figures till April 30, about 1,132 hectares of agricultural land has incurred crop loss in the state with about 9,657 farmers being affected.