Lightning Source

Lightning Source

Lightning occurs in many parts of the country, usually during the rain seasons. Sometimes it causes death to people and animals, and destroys trees and buildings. Some understanding of the nature of lightning will be of help when dealing with related safety precautions.

The friction between a rising, warm air mass and a falling, cold mass causes the air masses to be electrically charged. In order to rid of the charge, that is to discharge, a large spark flashes between them. This flash of light is the lightning. The heat caused thereby heats the air suddenly, causing it to expand with a loud sound. This sound is the thunder. Thunder and lightning occur simultaneously. But since light travels faster than sound, lightning is seen before thunder is heard.

Sometimes the warm and cold air masses get charged very close to the earth. The mass closest to the earth discharges towards the earth. In this ease the lightning strikes the earth. It appears very bright and the thunder is very loud. A human being, animal, tree or building, found in the path of lightning will be struck. When this happens, the victim may receive a very severe electric shock or die; a tree or building may be destroyed and catch fire.

To avoid being struck by lightning, the following should be observed:

a.                   Avoid taking shelter under a tree when it is raining. Shelter in a building or a vehicle.

b.                  Never be the tallest “object” on a large, plain ground.

c.                   Install lightning arrestors (conductors) on all buildings.

d.                  Plant trees in clusters. They share the effect of lightning, acting as an arrestor.