THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It has been hinted that the state will receive rain as part of Thulavarsham (northeast monsoon) from today. Yellow alert has been sounded in three districts today. The Meteorological Centre has indicated that the rains will intensify mainly in North Kerala. Yellow alert is sounded in Malappuram, Kozhikode and Wayanad. There will be isolated rain at various places in the state in the next five days.

The Central Meteorological Department has issued a warning that there will be rain with thunder and lightning at isolated places in the state till October 12.

Precautions
Thunderstorms are dangerous. They 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 this precaution as lightning may not always be visible.

Immediately move inside a safe building at the first sign of lightning. Staying in open areas increases the risk of lightning strikes.

Keep windows and doors closed during periods of strong 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 medical equipment during thunderstorms.

Avoid using the telephone during thunderstorms. It is okay to use a mobile phone.

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 down objects that can 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 catch fish or bathe in water during thunderstorms. As soon as you start seeing clouds, you should stop activities like 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 kite flying.

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.

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 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.