PAGASA shares tips to minimize lightning strike risk

PAGASA on Wednesday reminded the public of the dangers of lightning strikes and what to keep in mind to minimize the risk.

In a report by Mark Salazar on "24 Oras," the state weather bureau said that a lightning strike can carry 15 million volts of electricity that can creep through conductors such as water and plugged electric cables.

According to the Department of Health, 99 individuals were killed by lightning strike in 2020.

PAGASA also said that safety is not guaranteed, even if you are sheltered, if what you are sheltering under is the tallest tree or structure in a wide space.

“Unang tatamaan ng kidlat yung pinakamalapit sa ulap. Kung walang mga puno doon at ikaw lang ang pinaka mataas, sayo mag-a-attract ang dalawang polarity. Doon dadaan ang kidlat,” said Aldzar Aurelio, PAGASA Weather Specialist 2. 

“Kung nandun ka meron tayong properties na madadaanan ng electricity so kung tinamaan ang puno, ikaw din damay dadaanan ka rin ng kuryente,” Aurelio said. 

PAGASA urged the public not to venture out during lightning strikes, and even when at home to avoid using phones or metal implements and to stay away from electric wires or appliances and other electrical devices.

If outside, PAGASA added:

• immediately take shelter in the nearest house or building. If there are none around, take shelter in a car with the windows closed; but do not touch the car's metal parts
• do not take shelter in vehicles without roofs and windows, such as tractors
• stay away from trees, power poles, wire hangers, wire fences, water pipes, anything else made of metal, and wet areas or bodies of water.

— Sherylin Untalan/BM, GMA Integrated News