Thunderstorms in North India: What to do Before, During and After Thunderstorms and Sandstorms

In the coming days, some parts of India will be gearing up for some rough, stormy weather. As the rest of the country scorches under the May heat, 13 states could experience thunderstorms in the days to come. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has already sounded the warning bell to UP, Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Karnataka and Kerala. The states can expect thunderstorms and gusty winds, as per a report carried by The Hindustan Times. A weather official told the newspaper the thunderstorms and squalls “very, very likely at isolated places in Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi.”

The news of the impending thunderstorm has understandably put the country on a high alert. Such inclement weather conditions can be dangerous and cause hazards to life and property. According to the Center for Diseases and Prevention (CDC), the odds of being struck by lightning is 1 in 500,000. But it can damage electrical equipment, stoke fires and even electrocute humans and animals. Strong gusty winds can cause power outages, damage houses, overturn vehicles and uproot trees. The best bet to stay safe at such times is to stay indoors and avoid going out when the weather gets rough. Here are some basic dos and don’ts you should follow during a stormy weather.

Before the Storm

Preparedness is crucial during natural calamities like thunderstorms.

1. Keep a kit comprising flashlight, first aid, food, power bank, water, towels, etc. In case of dust storms, keep a dust mask ready.

2. Ensure there’s an emergency exit for you and your family to escape in case you need to.

3. Be wary of trees around your house that can get uprooted during the storm. Felling those trees will be helpful.

In case that’s not feasible, move in to a friend’s house where it is safer.

4. Keep your children, the elderly and differently-abled people close by. They may have trouble fending for themselves.

5. Tune into the radio or TV and keep abreast of all the storm-related news beforehand.

6. When you sense the storm coming, unplug your electrical appliances.

During the Storm

1. Staying indoors is the best bet against getting stuck in the thunderstorm. Post pone any trip you have planned.

2. If you are outdoors, rush indoors. Seek refuge in a mall or a restaurant where you will be comparatively safer than being outdoors.

3. Do not stand under trees since they are vulnerable to lightning. Trees are usually the tallest objects in the environment, making them perfect targets for lightning. When lightning strikes, electric currents course through the tree. And since human body is a better conductor of electricity than trees, the current get directed towards the human conductor, electrocuting the person within seconds.

4. Crouch low as possible and ensure that you don’t make any direct contact with the ground. Lightning passes electric current on the ground, which can prove fatal even if you are standing 100 feet away from the main point.

5. Even if you are indoors, keep away from walls and concrete floors. Lightning can travel through the metal bars and wires in your walls. CDC states that a third of all lightning-related injuries occur indoors.

6. Avoid water. It’s common knowledge that water is a good conductor of electricity and lightning can travel through plumbing.

7. Stay away from windows and doors. Seek refuge in the interior part of the house to avoid chances of being hit by lightning.

8. Lightning can travel through electrical systems like TV, computer, radio, fridge and washing machine. That’s why it is important to switch off electrical equipment and avoid operating them during thunderstorms. Lightning can not only damage electrical equipment but also pose a grave threat to your life.

9. Don’t use landline phones. When lightning strikes, the electric bolt will seek out the quickest way into the ground through the metal wiring. This can deliver a big jolt right into the person using the phone. Use cordless or mobile phones instead.

After the Storm

1. It’s a norm to stay put for 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder. Stay indoors for half an hour after you heard the last rumble.

2. Once the storm has passed, remember that some areas will still be flooded due to the accompanying flash floods. Don’t drive just as yet since there is a danger of drowning or being swept away.

3. Stay away from broken power lines and report them to the authorities.

4. Avoid wading in water even after the storm has passed. There’s always a chance of being electrocuted in water if there are broken power lines around.

5. Avoid touching metal fences and metal surfaces.

6. Turn on the radio for any information.

Although lightning strikes are rare, it’s better to stay prepared and avoid any activity that could putting our lives in danger. To sum up, stay indoors, avoid windows, don’t operate electronics, never walk barefooted on concrete floors, avoid trees and tall structures and never use landline phones during thunderstorms.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 08, 2018 05:38 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).