How to Stay Safe from Lightning During the Monsoon Season

Lightning injuries and deaths are regularly reported mostly during the monsoon months. Most of those affected are agricultural workers toiling in the fields during thunderstorms. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) Report on Accidental Deaths 2020, out of the 7405 accidental deaths in India, due to ‘forces of nature’, 38.6% deaths were due to ‘Lightning’ (2,862 deaths).

Among those affected, males were more, and the incidence was higher in the age group 18-45 years. In the past years, the states affected the most by deaths due to ‘lightning’ were Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh. In 2020, Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu were added to the list.

Lightning may be fascinating to watch as a spectator, but it is extremely dangerous in close proximity. Lightning injures more people than it kills, and leaves many victims disabled. Approximately 30% of those struck by lightning die, and up to 74 % of survivors may be permanently disabled. Everyone who is outdoors during bad weather is a potential victim and there is no truth to the common phrase “lightning never strikes twice”.

Risks

The primary risk factor for sustaining lightning injuries is the failure of people to acknowledge that lightning poses a threat to their lives. No place outdoors is safe when thunderstorms are in the area and often some delay seeking shelter till the very last moment. This is often too late because lightning can travel as far as 16 kilometers in any direction from the thunderstorm clouds.

Although most lightning-related injuries and deaths occur outdoors, across the world, a few people are injured indoors every year from contact injuries with plumbing or landline telephone–mediated strikes. While use of cell phones, or handheld devices, and other portable electronic devices may change the pathway of lightning around a person, it does not increase the risk of injury except by distracting the individual from paying attention to warning signs, such as storm clouds and thunder.

Precautions

In case someone is stuck outdoors during a thunderstorm, it is advisable to adopt the ‘lightning safety position’ when under threat of being struck by lightning. In case of a lightning strike, move the individual indoors to a healthcare facility at the earliest for necessary medical aid.

Avoid open spaces: If it is raining or lightning is expected to strike, stay indoors to avoid being a victim. Stay off balconies, verandahs and out of open garages or sheds. Being inside a fully enclosed metal vehicle keeps passengers safe, although they should avoid touching metal parts during a lightning storm. If in a swimming pool, exit without any delay as it is dangerous to remain within a water body when there is a thunderstorm going on.
Do not take shelter under trees or bus shelters: Steer clear of trees and look for buildings instead as lighting is indiscriminate outdoors. Bus shelters also must be avoided and do not protect against a lightning strikes.
Lightning safety position: The intent is to get close to the ground without actually touching the ground with more than the balls of your feet. Squat low, keep your hips and hands off the ground and stick your head between your knees, while balancing on the balls of your feet and touching your heels together.

Don’t lie flat on the ground: Most people are hit by lightning that has struck the ground nearby and traveled up through them. The more you minimize your contact with the ground, the less chances of electricity entering your body.
Cover your ears to limit potential hearing damage: If lightning strikes you or very close to you, the sound can be loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage.
When to see a doctor: Being struck by lightning is a medical emergency requiring immediate medical attention. There could be loss of consciousness or confusion, memory loss, burns, neck injuries, shortness of breath, hearing loss, and dizziness amongst many other signs and symptoms. Let a medical professional decide the further course of action after the patient is evaluated.

In summary, be aware of your surroundings, be alert for changes in weather, and check weather forecasts before planning outdoor activities in the monsoons. A popular adage that is recommended to be followed by people everywhere is “When it roars (i.e., thunder), go indoors”.