Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) has advised nine tips to avoid lightning strikes as the number of deaths from the lightning is being increasing.
It recently posted the tips on its official Facebook page, reports UNB.
The nine tips are:
- Take shelter under a nearby concrete house. If there is frequent lightning, do not stay in any open or high place.
- Stay away from trees and electric poles as there is high possibility of lightning strikes on trees or electric poles. The passenger sheds are also unsafe.
- Do not stay close to windows at home when there is lightning. Keep the windows closed.
- Avoid metallic objects. Do not touch metal, stair railing, metal pipes etc during lightning. Do not even touch landline telephones because many people get injured by touching these.
- Avoid touching all connected electric appliances, including TV and fridge. Do not touch TVs, refrigerators, etc. If lightning starts, disconnect all plugs from electric lines.
- If you are in a car during lightning, try to return home as fast as possible. If there is heavy thunderstorms and rains, then take the car under any shed. Touching the windowpanes can be dangerous at that time.
- Water-logging is very common in the rainy season and the stagnant water can be electrified by a snapped electric line. So, it is better to stay home during lightning.
- Walking barefoot or using wet leather shoes during lightning is very dangerous. Rubber gumboot will be the safest thing.
- Remain alert on the road during lightning. Avoid the spots where the tendency of lightning is high. If someone gets injured, try to take him to hospital quickly.