Each year lightning affects millions of people all around the world. It is one of the major causes of the destruction of property, death, and injury of people. Lightning often strikes outside the area of heavy rain. It may strike as far as 10 miles from any rainfall. In order to reduce the destruction caused by these occurrences the disaster management committee has laid some safety measures. In this section, we will learn about some of the safety measures to be undertaken before, during, and after the calamity.
What is Lightning?
Lightning is an electrical discharge caused by imbalances between storm clouds and the ground, or within the clouds themselves. Most lightning occurs within the clouds.
What is Thunderstorm?
A thunderstorm is a storm with lightning and thunder. It’s produced by a cumulonimbus cloud, usually producing gusty winds, heavy rain and sometimes hail.
Lightning Safety: Before the Calamity
- In order to avoid lightning threats, we must follow a safety plan. This includes finding a shelter house and estimating the time required to reach there.
- One must check the weather forecast for a thunderstorm before going out. Outdoor activities must be postponed if there are signs of a developing thunderstorm such as darkening skies, flashes, or strong winds. This will help us to avoid being caught in dangerous situations.
- One must get to a safe place immediately if thunder or distant rumble is heard such as a fully enclosed building. Sheds, tents or covered porches must be avoided.
- Lightning conductors must be installed in buildings or any other elevated structures. Lightning conductors are metal rods or metallic objects mounted on the top of an elevated structure (a building, a ship or even a tree). This is electrically bonded using an electrical conductor that is interfaced with the ground through an electrode. During an event of a lightning strike, the flashes strike the rod and get conducted through the wire to the ground, instead of passing through the structure. Thus, these conductors protect the structure.
Safety Measures During the Calamity
In this section, we will learn about the measures to be taken during the calamity. These measures significantly help us to reduce the risk of becoming a lightning casualty.
- One must avoid open areas and stay away from isolated trees, towers, or electrical poles as lightning tends to strike the tallest object in an area.
- One must stay away from conductors such as fences and wires. These objects act as a conductor to the lightning to distant areas.
- In a situation where a sturdy building is difficult to locate nearby, a hard-topped metal vehicle with closed windows must be used as a shelter.
- One must stand away from electrical equipment and wiring. Also, corded phones must not be used during a thunderstorm.
- Water pipes also conduct electricity, so taking a shower or using the plumbing must be avoided during a storm.
- One must avoid being stuck in a crowd and must spread out. This would help to avoid multiple casualties in case of a lightning strike.
- If someone is struck by lightning, urgent medical attention must be provided. Cardiac arrest is the immediate cause of death in most of these situations. Hence, the victim must be moved quickly to a safer place. Also, CPR and Automatic External Defibrillator must be given.
Why do Lightning Bolts Glow?
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs
What is meant by electromagnetic induction?
Electromagnetic or magnetic induction is the production of an electromotive force across an electrical conductor in a changing magnetic field.
Who discovered electromagnetic induction?
Physicist Michael Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction.
What is lightning?
Physicist Michael Faraday discovered
Lightning is an electrical discharge created due to the imbalances between the ground or storm clouds or inside the clouds themselves. Most lightning happens within the clouds.
Which type of cloud causes lightning?
Lightning is generally generated by cumulonimbus clouds, which possess bases that are usually 1–2 km above the ground and top up to 15 km in height.
Give an important safety measure to follow while continuous lightning occurs.
We must avoid open areas and stay away from isolated trees, tall buildings, or electrical poles, as lightning tends to hit the tallest structures in an area.
What is the significance of lightning conductors?
Light conductors should be fixed in tall buildings or any elevated structures. These tall conductors are metallic objects or metal rods mounted on the top of tall structures(buildings, towers or ships). These rods are electrically bound by an electrical conductor that is connected to the ground by an electrode. During lightning, the flashes hit the rod and get absorbed through the conducting wire to the ground instead of flowing through the structure.
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