THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Warning of the possibility of summer rain in various districts in the state in the coming hours. According to the Central Meteorological Department, there is a possibility of moderate rain with thunder at isolated places in the districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Idukki, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode and strong winds with a speed of up to 40 km per hour.

Earlier, the Central Meteorological Department had informed that fishing should not be done on the Kerala coast today and there would be no restrictions on fishing on the Karnataka and Lakshadweep coasts. There is a warning of potential strong winds with a speed of 40 to 50 km per hour along the southern Kerala coast.

Thunderstorms - Warnings

Thunderstorms are dangerous. They cause great damage to human and animal life, electrical communication networks, and household 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 refrain from taking these precautions just because lightning is not visible.

1. Move to a safe building immediately at the first sign of lightning. Staying in open areas increases the risk of being struck by lightning.
2. Keep windows and doors closed and stay away from doors and windows during periods of strong winds and lightning. Stay inside the building and try not to touch the wall or floor as much as possible.
3. Unplug household appliances. Avoid proximity to electrical appliances during thunderstorms.
4. Avoid using the telephone during thunderstorms. It is okay to use a mobile phone.
5. Children should avoid playing outdoors and on terraces if the weather is cloudy.
6. Do not stand under trees during thunderstorms. Do not park vehicles under trees.
7. Stay inside your vehicle during a thunderstorm. Don't stick your legs out. You will be safe inside the vehicle. Avoid traveling on vehicles like bicycles, bikes, and tractors during thunderstorms, and seek shelter in a safe building until the thunderstorm ends.
8. Don't go out to the terrace or yard to collect clothes when there is a rainstorm or during a thunderstorm.
9. Tie down items that can fall over in the wind.
10. Avoid showering during thunderstorms and avoid collecting water from taps. Electricity from lightning may travel through pipes.
11. Do not go down to fish or bathe in water 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.
12. It is dangerous to sit on a terrace or other high places or on a tree branch during a thunderstorm.
13. Domestic animals should not be tethered 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.
14. If you are in an open area where you cannot move to a nearby building, sit in a ball-like position with your feet together and your head and legs tucked between your knees.
15. Lightning conductors can be placed on top of buildings to protect them from lightning.
16. A surge protector can be installed for the safety of electrical equipment.
17. A lightning strike can cause burns, loss of vision, hearing, or even a heart attack. It should be understood that there is no electric current in the body of a person who has been struck by lightning, so do not hesitate to give first aid to a person who has been struck. The first 30 seconds of a lightning strike are the golden moments to save a life. Get medical help immediately to the person who has been struck by lightning.