Tips to Avoid Being Hit by Lightning

Laoag City (PIA) – The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) shared some tips to avoid being hit by lightning.

The local weather bureau released these tips following the recent lightning incidents in the Ilocos provinces that caused the death of a tricycle driver and wounding of three others along the road in an open area of Barangay Barong, Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

The latest lightning incident happened in Cabugao, Ilocos Sur last Sunday that resulted in the death of a farmer and injury to three others.

Local PAGASA weather forecaster Cynthia Iglesia noted the possibility for the continuous prevalence of sudden strong lightning and thunderstorms in the province due to the usual formation of cumulo-nimbus clouds in its eastern portion.

The thunderstorms are associated with convective clouds and are often accompanied by rains.

Iglesia said to avoid being a victim of lightning, one must be aware of the daily weather forecasts.

She advised people caught in a thunderstorm to find a safe, enclosed shelter when thunder is heard. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.

When a thunderstorm threatens, get inside a home or large building and when inside a home, avoid using the telephone, except for emergencies.

“If you are caught in an open area, crouch down in a ball-like position (feet and knees together) with your head tucked and hands over your ears so that you are down low with minimal contact with the ground,” she said.

“Do not lie down as lightning causes electric currents along the top of the ground that can be deadly over 100 feet away. Crouching down is the best combination of being low and touching the ground as little as possible,” she added.

If you are in a group during a thunderstorm, separate from each other. This will reduce the number of injuries if lightning strikes the ground.

Iglesia also said people should avoid staying in open vehicles, metal objects, structures and spaces. (MCA/FGL, PIA- I Ilocos Norte)