THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned that Kerala will receive heavy rains accompanied by thunderstorms from September 6 to 10. Strong winds gusting up to 30 to 40 kilometres per hour are also likely in the state. Meanwhile, the low-pressure area formed in the Bay of Bengal has weakened to a cyclonic circulation over Odisha. Following the rain warning, a yellow alert has been issued in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam, and Idukki districts.

Thunderstorm warning

IMD has informed that isolated places in the state are likely to receive heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms from September 6 to September 10.

Precautions

Thunderstorms are dangerous. They cause great damage to human and animal life, electrical and 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 avoid taking these precautions just because the 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 winds and lightning. 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.
• 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 your vehicle during a thunderstorm. Don't stick your legs out. You will be safe inside the vehicle. Avoid travelling on vehicles like bicycles, bikes, and tractors during thunderstorms and seek shelter in a safe building until the thunderstorm ends.
• Don't go out to the terrace or yard to collect clothes when there is a rainstorm or during a thunderstorm.
• Tie and secure the items that can fall over in the wind.
• Avoid bathing during thunderstorms. Also, avoid collecting water from taps. Electricity from lightning may travel through pipes.
• Do not go fishing or bathing in waterbodies 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.
• Do not fly a kite during a thunderstorm.
• It is dangerous to sit on a terrace or other high place or a tree branch during a thunderstorm.
• Domestic animals should not be tethered in the open during this time. Don't go to untie them and tie them back securely when there is a rain cloud. This may cause you to experience lightning strikes.
• 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 between your knees.
• 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. 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 who has been struck by lightning. The first 30 seconds of being struck by lightning are the crucial moments to save lives. Get medical help immediately for the person who has been struck by lightning.