Alert issued; Rain and thunderstorms expected in six districts today

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Alert has been issued that rain will occur in various districts of Kerala in the next three hours. Moderate rain with thundershowers at isolated places over Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod with gusty winds up to 40 km/h, Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam and Wayanad with moderate rain at isolated places up to 40 km/h. Central Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of strong winds.

Yellow alert has been issued in Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Kasaragod today according to the Central Meteorological Department's rain forecast for the next five days. Chances of isolated heavy rain are predicted in these places. Heavy rains mean rainfall of 64.5 mm to 115.5 mm in 24 hours.

Thunderstorm warnings

• Thunderstorms can cause great damage to human and animal life, electrical communication networks and appliances connected to electrical conductors. Therefore, the general public should take the following precautions from the time the cloud starts to be seen. Do not hesitate to take precautions as lightning may not always be visible.
• At the first sign of lightning, move to a safe building immediately. Staying in open areas increases the chance of being struck by lightning.
• Keep windows and doors closed during high winds and thunderstorms. Stay away from doors and windows. Stay inside the building and try not to touch the wall or floor as much as possible.
• Unplug household appliances. Avoid proximity to electrical appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using the telephone during thunderstorms. It is okay to use a mobile phone.
• Avoid playing outdoors and on terraces, including children, if the weather is cloudy.
• Do not stand under trees during thunderstorms. Do not park vehicles under trees.
• Stay inside your vehicle during a thunderstorm. Don't put your legs out. You will be safe inside the vehicle. Avoid travelling on vehicles like bicycles, bikes and tractors during thunderstorms. Seek shelter in a safe building until the thunderstorm ends.
• Do not go out to the terrace or yard during thunderstorms to collect clothes when you see rain.
• Tie-down objects that are likely to fall over in the wind. Avoid bathing during thunderstorms. Also, avoid collecting water from taps. Electricity from lightning may travel through the pipe.
• Do not fish or bathe in water during thunderstorms. As soon as you see clouds, you should stop activities like fishing and boating and try to reach the nearest shore immediately. Do not stand on the deck of the boat during a thunderstorm. Baiting and netting should be suspended during thunderstorms.
• Avoid kite flying. It is dangerous to sit on a terrace or other high place or a tree branch during a thunderstorm.
• Domestic animals should not be tied in the open during this time. Do not go when there is a rain cloud to untie them and tie them back securely. This may cause you to experience lightning strikes.
• If you are in an open area where you cannot move to a nearby building, sit with your feet together and your head between your knees and roll up like a ball.
• Lightning protection conduits can be placed on top of buildings to protect them from lightning. A surge protector can be fitted for the safety of electrical equipment.
• Lightning strikes can cause burns, loss of vision, hearing, or heart attacks. It should be understood that there is no electric current in the body of a person who has been struck by lightning. So don't hesitate to give first aid to a person struck by lightning. The first thirty seconds of being struck by lightning are the golden moments to save lives. Get medical help immediately for the person who has been struck by lightning.