Inside the car, you are safe from lightning

Next time, when there is a bolt from the blue, take to your wheels. That is what the state government says.

The government has come out with a manual on storm safety measures, which says that staying inside car is the safest bet against lightning. “Stay in your automobiles if you are travelling. Automobiles give you excellent protection against lightning,” says the manual.

According to government statistics, of the 161 deaths rein the state between June 18 and June 23, 129 were caused by lightning. Marathwada reported the highest casualty of 60 deaths. In Mumbai, one person died and five were injured when lightning at Girgaum chowpatty last week.

The manual, prepared by the state disaster management cell, says, “While cars are very safe place to be in, it is not the tyres that protect you. This is a very common misconception. It is the metal surrounding you that gives protection. This is because of something called the ‘skin effect’—electricity will travel only on the surface of enclosed metal objects. So while your car may be hit by lightning, you will be safe as long as you stay inside.”

This is provided that you have a metal car that is not a convertible.

Disaster Management Cell’s core committee, headed by principle secretary KS Vatse, fears that preparations to combat monsoon floods in the state may prove inadequate if lightning density and frequency continue to be what they are currently.