The Madhya Pradesh meteorological department has advised residents of four divisions of the state to avoid using their mobile phones to reduce the risk of being struck by thunderstorms. GD Mishra, a senior scientist with the state meteorological department said that places like Jabalpur, Rewa, Shahdol and Sagar may witness thundershowers due to monsoon. In the last 24 hours, at least six people have been killed due to lightning strikes across the state.

Hindustan Times quoted Mishra as saying, "We have issued a general warning to people on how to prevent being struck by lightning. People usually take shelter under trees during rains to make or receive calls on their mobile phones. This puts them at an increased risk of being struck."

Mishra has also told people to avoid open areas and water bodies during rains. He said that chance of lightning strikes is higher in June-July. Lightning strikes claim anywhere between 1,000 and 1,500 lives across Madhya Pradesh, according to the disaster management institute.

Vivek Chhalotre, another scientist with the Met department said, "Mobile phones have electronic components and their functioning is based on electrical circuits. They also contain rechargeable batteries. Hence, if a person uses a cell phone in bad weather, there is a chance of lightning completing its circuit through the phone – with the caller bearing the brunt of the strike."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 28, 2018 07:08 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).