Why do Lighting Strikes happen? And where we are?
Fouzia Jamil
A person and his son were killed due to a lightning strike on a
house in the Chhchru area during heavy rain in various areas of the Tharparkar
district of Sindh and 10-year-old Kulsoom, who was injured in this accident,
was shifted to the hospital. Meanwhile, more than 100 cattle were also killed
by this terrible lightning strike in Chhchru and Nagarparkar areas.
Why do these accidents happen? Dozens of people and hundreds of
animals lose their lives every year during the rainy season. Is it correct to
think that these accidents happen only in rural areas?
This concept is very important to be clear. It's not accurate to
say that lightning strikes more in rural areas of Sindh without specific data
to support such a claim. Lightning is a complex atmospheric phenomenon influenced
by various factors such as geography, topography, and meteorological
conditions. Lightning tends to occur more frequently in regions with certain
atmospheric conditions, rather than being specifically tied to urban or rural
areas.
However, if there are concerns about lightning safety in a
particular region, it's important to focus on general lightning safety measures
that apply to both urban and rural areas.
According to the scientific approaches of the researchers and as an
analyzer of baby climate activists here are some scientific reasons for
lightning and corresponding safety measures: Scientific Reasons for Lightning:
Thunderstorm Formation: Lightning is most commonly associated with
thunderstorms. Thunderstorms develop when warm, moist air rises and interacts
with cooler air.
This creates convective currents and can lead to the development of
cumulonimbus clouds, which are capable of producing lightning. Charge
Separation: Within a thunderstorm, there is a separation of positive and
negative charges.
This charge separation can result in the discharge of electricity
in the form of lightning as the atmosphere seeks to equalize the charge
imbalance.
Safety
Measures:
Stay Informed: Monitor weather forecasts and be aware of
thunderstorm warnings in your area. Modern technology provides early warnings
for severe weather conditions.
Indoor Safety:
When thunderstorms are approaching, it is safest to stay indoors.
Avoid using electrical appliances, landline phones, and plumbing fixtures
during a storm.
Outdoor Safety:
If you are outdoors and
cannot reach shelter, avoid open fields, high ground, and isolated trees. Stay
away from water bodies and metal objects. Seek shelter in a sturdy building or
a hard-topped vehicle.
Lightning Protection Systems: For buildings in areas prone to
lightning, consider installing lightning protection systems, which can help
divert the electrical charge safely to the ground.
Education and Preparedness: Educate the community about lightning
safety measures. Develop emergency plans and ensure that everyone is aware of
proper safety protocols during thunderstorms.
It's essential to emphasize that lightning safety is a universal
concern, and precautions should be taken irrespective of whether an area is
rural or urban.
As An Electrical Engineer, Engineer Shariq said, “It is the
responsibility of the government to pay attention to this problem and hire
electrical engineers to solve this problem. What do electrical engineers do?
This I tell you. As an
electrical engineer, they will address lightning-related concerns involves
implementing measures to protect structures and people from the potential
dangers associated with lightning strikes.
We have to know about the
working structure and how it is possible it should be a structured approach to
address and mitigate the impact of lightning, first of all, do:
Risk Assessment Conduct a
thorough risk assessment to identify structures and areas at higher risk of
lightning strikes. Consider the geographical and meteorological factors that
contribute to lightning frequency.
Lightning Protection System
Design Design and implement a lightning protection system for structures in
high-risk areas.
Key components of a lightning protection system include air
terminals (lightning rods), conductors, bonding, and ground electrodes.
Ensure that the system complies with relevant standards and codes,
such as NFPA 780 and IEC 62305. Grounding System Design and install an
effective grounding system to provide a low-resistance path for lightning
currents to dissipate safely into the ground.
Verify that the grounding
system meets the requirements outlined in relevant standards.
Surge Protection Devices:
Install surge protection devices (SPDs) at key points in the
electrical system to prevent damage to equipment and electronics caused by
lightning-induced surges. Consider SPDs for power lines, communication lines,
and other vulnerable systems.
Coordination with Local
Authorities: Collaborate with local meteorological authorities to stay informed
about weather conditions and receive early warnings about potential
thunderstorms.
Work with local emergency management agencies to integrate
lightning safety measures into community preparedness plans. Education and
Training Conduct training sessions for building occupants to raise awareness
about lightning safety and the importance of following established protocols
during thunderstorms.
Educate maintenance
personnel about the proper inspection and maintenance of lightning protection
systems.
Regular Inspections and
Maintenance Establish a routine inspection and maintenance schedule for
lightning protection systems. Inspect air terminals, conductors, and grounding
components to ensure they are in good condition and free of corrosion.
Continuously retrofitting
Existing Structures like evaluating existing structures for the potential
retrofitting of lightning protection systems. Implement retrofit measures where
necessary to enhance the safety of older structures.
Compliance, Documentation, and Continuous Improvement Ensure that all
lightning protection systems comply with applicable regulations and standards.
Maintain comprehensive documentation of lightning protection system
design, installation, and maintenance activities. Stay informed about
advancements in lightning protection technology and update systems accordingly.
Learn from any incidents or near-misses to continually improve
lightning protection measures.
It’s necessary for the government if they want to resolve this
issue and decrease the number of deaths they have to collaborate with,
engineers, architects, and construction professionals to integrate lightning
protection seamlessly into overall building design and construction.
Regular training and
collaboration with other stakeholders will contribute to a comprehensive and
effective lightning protection strategy.
