Kochi: The Indian Meteorological Department on Thursday issued a yellow alert of heavy rainfall in four districts of Kerala namely Thiruvananthapuram, Pathanamthitta, Ernakulam and Idukki.
These districts are likely to experience thunderstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of over 40kmph, and rainfall of about 7-11 cms in a day, the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) said.
The warning, issued for five days – until May 4, urges both officials and the public to be watchful and take necessary precautions.
Despite the chances of rain, there had been no noticeable change in the daily temperatures reported for most places in the state.
Tips to stay safe during thunderstorms
» Move inside a safe building as soon as the skies show the warning signs of a thunderstorm.
» Do not stand in open spaces or hilltops. Even if you are stuck in such a place, bend down, cover your ears and place your neck between the knees.
» Do not go to the front yard or the terrace to pick up clothes from the cloth lines when the rain starts.
» Disconnect the antenna of the television and the cables of phones. Switch off and unplug the computers and other electronic appliances. Do not touch any electric appliances when there is a thunderstorm.
» Make sure that the kids do not play outside the house, terrace or in open spaces between 2 pm and 10 pm in the night.
» Avoid taking baths when there is lightning and thunder. It is better to stay inside the house without touching the walls or floor.
» Turn off the main switch. It would be better if there is a circuit breaker which cuts off power when electricity rushes into the cables or lines. Make sure that the earthing system in the house functions properly.
» Do not touch the receiver of the land phone. However, many people falsely believe that one would be struck by lightning if they talk on mobile phones.
» Do not stand near windows or doors. Sit on the floor, in the centre of the room, wearing a slipper or footwear.
» Remove all metals including ornaments from the body.
» Do not stand under a tree when there is lightning and thunderstorm. It would be unwise to stand under a tall tree that stands aloof.
» Stay away from water bodies like rivers, lakes, canals and ponds. Do not turn on the water taps.
» While travelling, roll down the windows and stay inside the vehicle.
» Have home appliances insured to avoid financial losses when they get damaged during thunderstorms.
First aid when lightning strikes
If someone gets struck by lightning, rush him/her to the nearby hospital. Immediate medical attention should be given. Artificial respiration should be initiated without any delay.
In most cases, the person dies when he/she stops breathing as the impact is on the back of the brain. It is a misconception that a person would be electrocuted by physical contact with someone who has been struck by lightning.