THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Central Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of heavy rain at isolated places in Kerala today. Yellow alert has been issued in Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki. The Meteorological Department warned that there is a possibility of rain with thunder and lightning.

Along with the northeastern monsoon, the heavy rains are due to the influence of the cyclonic circulation along the Kerala coast and the associated low-pressure area. There is another cyclone in the Andaman Sea. A depression is likely to form over the south-west Bay of Bengal off the Sri Lankan coast by Wednesday. There is also a warning that it will be stronger along the Tamil Nadu-Puducherry coast.

The state disaster management department warned that the Meteorological Department has informed that there is a possibility of rain with thunder and lightning at isolated places in Kerala from November 5 to November 9. The disaster management department also provides precautionary measures to be followed in case of lightning.

Thunderstorms are dangerous. They cause great damage to human and animal life, electrical and 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 avoid taking such precautions because lightning is not visible.

• Move indoors immediately at the first sign of lightning. Staying in open areas increases the chance of being struck by lightning.
• Keep windows and doors closed and stay away from doors and windows during periods of strong wind and lightning. Stay inside the building and try not to touch the wall or floor as much as possible.
• Unplug household appliances. Avoid nearness to electrical appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using telephone during thunderstorms. There is nothing wrong in using a mobile phone.
• Children should avoid playing outdoors and on terraces if the weather is cloudy.
• Do not stand under trees during thunderstorms. Do not park vehicles under trees.
• Stay inside the vehicle during thunderstorms. Don't put your legs out. You will be safe inside the vehicle. Avoid traveling on vehicles like bicycles, bikes, tractors during thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe building until the thunderstorm ends.
• Do not go to the terrace or yard to take clothes when there is a rainstorm or during a thunderstorm.
• Tie objects that are likely to fall down during winds.
• Avoid bathing during thunderstorms. Also avoid collecting water from taps. Electricity from lightning may travel through pipes.
• Do not catch fish or bathe in water bodies during thunderstorms. As soon as you start seeing clouds, you should stop fishing and boating and try to reach the nearest shore immediately. Do not stand on the deck of a boat during a thunderstorm. Baiting and netting should be suspended during thunderstorms.
• Avoid flying of kites.
• It is dangerous to sit on a terrace or other high place or on 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 so that you cannot move to a nearby building, keep your feet together and tuck your head between your knees and roll up like a ball.
• Lightning conductors can be placed on top of buildings to protect them from lightning. A surge protector can be fitted for the safety of electrical appliances.
• Lightning strikes can cause burns, loss of vision, hearing, or heart attacks. Should understand 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 who has been struck by lightning. The first 30 seconds of being struck by lightning are the golden moments to save lives. Get medical help immediately to the person who has been struck by lightning.