How to avoid being struck by lightning during a thunderstorm
If you feel your hair standing on end, it means that you could be struck by lightning at any moment. Do the following:
How is lightning formed?
According to the Department of Climate Change (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), lightning is a natural phenomenon formed from thunderstorms. Thunderstorms are complex atmospheric phenomena, formed when there is strong convection, including electrical discharges in clouds, between clouds or between clouds and the ground, creating lightning and thunder; often accompanied by strong winds and heavy rain, sometimes hail. When electrical discharge occurs between clouds and the ground, it is called lightning.
Non-combustible insulators may be punctured in the strong electric field at the beginning of the lightning channel, and then melt at the point of contact with the lightning channel. Thermal damage to metal conductors through which lightning current flows rarely occurs. However, if there is poor contact on the lightning path, melting may occur.
According to Dr. Nguyen Xuan Anh (Director of the Institute of Geophysics - Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), people struck by lightning often suffer permanent brain damage, deafness or blindness if they are not detected and given emergency treatment on the spot, and in severe cases they can die. About 30% of lightning victims die from cardiac arrest.
If people cannot find a safe shelter in time during a thunderstorm, they should absolutely not use trees as shelter from the rain, avoid higher areas around, stay away from metal objects such as bicycles, motorbikes, and iron fences. Everyone should find a dry place, stand as low as possible, hold their necks with their hands, stand on tiptoes and do not lie on the ground, so that the contact between the person and the ground is minimal.
In places containing water such as the sea, ponds, lakes, and ditches, people should not go near them. If in the forest, they should find low trees and sparse areas to avoid them.
The Department of Climate Change, General Department of Hydrometeorology has issued leaflets with instructions on how to avoid lightning, in which it is instructed that when outdoors, do not stand in groups, because lightning strikes can easily cause catastrophic accidents. If someone feels their hair stand on end, it means that they could be struck by lightning at any time. At that time, immediately sit down, cover your ears, and absolutely do not lie down or put your hands on the ground.
