THE video clip of a mini-tornado that became viral last week is the latest evidence that they are present in this country although MetMalaysia has denied their existence more than two decades ago. Whenever such incidents occurred, MetMalaysia has been referring to them in vague terms such as land spouts, downbursts and even as "freak" storms.

These incidents have been reported without fail every year but in different parts of the country, hence they may seem to be freak storms at those places only. The mini-tornadoes are short lived tornadoes that seem to appear out of nowhere and disappear just as fast even when there is no rain.

The public should not take the mini-tornado threat lightly since they have proved to be deadly in the past. One mini-tornado incident which occurred at a Ramadan bazaar in Malacca not too long ago resulted in several deaths and many injuries when the canopies were lifted by the tornado and crashed down on the shoppers.

Mini-tornadoes are usually spawned from thunderclouds. Hence the public should scan the sky periodically when they are outdoors even when they do not hear any thunder to avoid becoming a victim of flying debris such as canopies, zinc sheets or even chairs. They should seek shelter in a building and avoid going outside to take videos of the rare phenomenon.

Since the thunderstorm season have started much earlier this year and more people are going on vacation and in their hometowns, it is prudent to follow the lightning safety rule to avoid becoming a victim of a lightning strike:

1. STOP all outdoor activities and SEEK a shelter as soon as you see dark thunder clouds gather on the horizon or over the hill. Lightning can strike up to 15 km away from the thundercloud i.e. even before the rain starts!

2. RUN for a shelter if you can hear thunder or see a lightning bolt. You are ALREADY IN DANGER of being struck by lightning.

3. DO NOT wait for the rain to fall before you act. Sometimes, lightning occurs BEFORE the rain starts to fall. NEVER use an umbrella in a lightning storm.

4. DO NOT TAKE SHELTER UNDER A TREE or in a tent, a small shed, a kongsi, a rotunda or a roadside food stall. For small shelters, ensure that they have been installed with a proper lightning protection system before you take shelter in them.

5. DO take shelter inside a sturdy or large building (eg. a shop or a house), inside a metal roofed vehicle (eg. a bus, van or car) or under a large structure (eg. a bridge). DO NOT loiter outside a large building to avoid being struck by debris from lightning damage.

6. IF there is no proper shelter nearby, get down from an elevated position (eg. mound, hill top or platform). Get into any depression in the ground or in a dry drain.

7. GET into a Lightning Defensive Position i.e. squat down with your feet together and close your ears with your hands. DO NOT lie down. DO NOT touch anyone or any metal objects (eg. fence, gate etc.) near you.

8. IF it rains, get your clothes wet because wet clothing helps to reduce serious injuries to the lightning struck person. Let the current flow over you instead of inside you.

9. INSIDE a shelter, DO NOT touch any metallic object, equipment (TV, fridge, cooker, washing machine etc.) or electric cable. DO NOT use the landline telephone and personal computer. DO NOT use a handphone that is being charged. KEEP AWAY from the metal grills, balcony, verandah, doorway, window, wall or pillar.

10. STAY inside your shelter for 30 minutes AFTER the last thunder is heard. Lightning can strike up to 15 km away from the thundercloud i.e. even after the rain had stopped!


ZA HARTONO
KUALA LUMPUR