Shillong, June 12: Government of Meghalaya today issued do’s and don’ts to avoid exposure to lightning to reduce the risk thunderstorms and lightning to avoid the exposure of lightning while outdoors, some tips for safety and to reduce the risk.
Check the weather forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If you see thunderstorm & lightning, stay indoor for 30 minutes. Do not go out of house during adverse weather especially for working in agriculture field.
Grazing cattle, fishing and plying boats or general travel when thunder roars, be inside safe shelter. Avoid metal structures and constructions with metal sheeting. Safe shelters include homes, offices shopping centers, and hard top vehicles with windows rolled up.
If you are caught outside with no safe shelter nearby, immediately gat off elevated areas such as hills, mountain ridges, or peaks. If you are caught in an open area, act quickly to remove yourself from danger.
Ideally, and a shelter in a low-lying area and make sure that the spot chosen is not likely to be flooded. Hair standing up on the back of your neck with tingling could indicate that lightning is imminent.
Immediately get out of and away from ponds, lakes, and other water bodies. Keep away from all utility lines and objects that conduct electricity (telephone, power, metal fences, overhead wire, rail-road tracks, wind mills, etc.), trees and hilltops.
Rubber soled shoes and car tyres do not offer protection from lightning. If you are in a group during thunderstorm, than keep adequate distance to reduce risk. Don’ts Do not go outside during adverse weather especially for working in agriculture field, grazing cattle, fishing and plying boats.
If you are in forest area, take shelter under small and dwarf trees. Avoid using corded phones and other electrical equipment that can conduct lightning. However, it is safe to use cordless phones during a storm, Avoid open vehicles such as convertibles motorcycles, and golf carts, etc.
Avoid open structures and spaces such as porches, sports arenas such as golf courses, parks, and playgrounds, Ponds, Lakes, swimming pools, and beaches. Do’s and Don’ts on travel check the weather forecast before outdoor activities. If there is a forecast or warning for thunderstorm, postpone travel or outdoor activities.
During a thunderstorm, avoid open vehicles such as convertibles, motorcycles, and golf carts. Be sure to avoid open structures such as porches, baseball dugouts, and sports arenas.
Stay away from open spaces such as golf courses, parks, playgrounds, ponds, lakes, swimming pools, and beaches. Get off bicycles, motorcycles or farm vehicles that may attract lightning. If boating or swimming, get to land as quickly as possible and take shelter in a safe place.
During storm, remain in your vehicle until help arrives or the storm has passed (the metal roof will provide protection if you are not touching metal inside): windows should be up and the vehicle must be parked away from trees and power lines.
Move out of forested area especially pine forest towards clear ground. There is possibility of forest fire due to lightning strike. In case of any emergency, the public may contact the District Emergency Operations Centre @ 0364- 2225289/2502094 and State Emergency Operations Centre @ 0364-2502098.
