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Tips to Avoid Being Hit by Lightning

The rainy season is here, but it has come with its challenges, among which is lightning, which has killed people and destroyed property.

On Monday, three cases of thunder strikes were reported in Rutsiro, Nyamasheke and Karongi districts in which all the three affected people died.

Lightning is a powerful force of nature known by very few people. It is electricity discharged from clouds. Experts say installing lightning rods, which are conductors, divert strikes into the dirt. Thunderbolt strikes the tallest object in a targeted area.

Experts have listed a number of measures to avoid being struck by thunderbolt such as not being in an open space like fields, golf courses or parking lots, when it’s raining. This is because you are the tallest thing around, and the easiest target.

Water and metals are conductors of electricity so stop swimming and stay away from any forms of metal, because you and the metal or water makes a fine target.

Umbrellas too, can be dangerous, but standing under tall objects like trees and towers are easy targets.

Cars are safe places during lightning storm because they have built-in rods to divert strikes into the ground.