Janet Ogundepo
Following the weather forecast of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, public health specialists have advised Nigerians, particularly pregnant women and children, to avoid being outdoors during heavy downpours to avoid life-threatening accidents.
They emphasised that this precaution is necessary to prevent accidental slips when wading through flooded areas and wet floors, as well as to avoid exposure to the cold.
In separate interviews with PUNCH Healthwise, physicians also warned individuals against walking barefoot and holding electrical objects during thunderstorms or lightning.
Since April, NiMet has predicted multiple thunderstorms and lightning across the country.
In May, the agency in its forecast noted stated for about eight to 15 days lightning is expected to occur more than twice.
A report by a non-governmental organisation, Nigeria Lightning Safety and Research, stated that 2.4 million thunderstrikes were expected in April 2023, with more expected throughout the year.
A study, “Lightning accidents in Nigeria: With special attention to aviation mishaps,” by Sani Buba et al, noted that Africa has the highest lightning hotspot with Nigeria having a high lightning density.
Although the researchers noted that there was a paucity of data and reportage of lightning-related deaths in Nigeria, it estimates the figure to be 500 fatalities per year.
Recently, the Lagos State Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed that two women in FESTAC were killed by electrocution caused by lightning that struck the shanty where they stayed.
He said, “Somewhere on First Avenue, FESTAC, two women remained indoors during the downpour yesterday (Friday). Lighting struck, electrocuting them instantly and causing a fire outbreak. They lived in a shanty built under high-voltage wires.”
Speaking on the issue, a Public Health Specialist, Dr Tuyi Mebawondu, stated that during lightning and thunderstorms, individuals should seek shelter indoors and avoid being the tallest object in an open area.
“What are the safety measures to adopt during lightning? First and foremost, it is advised that when there’s active thundering and lightning, don’t stay outside, rather go to a safe shelter. Why must you not stay outside? If you stay outside and you are the tallest person or thing on the path within the radius of the lightning touching down, you might be hit, leading to burns, wounds or death due to the massive electrical current that will pass through such a person.
“If you are indoors, stay away from everything that can conduct electricity such as a charging phone, computer or electrical equipment. You also have to stay away from windows because some of the electricity will follow a straight path and pass through your window,” he said.
He further advised against lying on concrete floors, resting on the wall and taking shelter under isolated trees during lightning to prevent electrocution.
Moreover, the doctor stated that flash floods could contaminate water sources, advising that water obtained after a flash flood be boiled before drinking.
Mebawondu noted, “Poor drainage system during a flash flood, which can happen at any time, will cause a lot of health-related issues. One, it can contaminate your source of water by sweeping pieces of faecal material into your source of water. That’s why it is advisable that for any source of water you are using after a flash flood, you have to boil it before you drink. Due to the flood, you can have more breeding space for mosquitoes and vectors, therefore, you have to use your protections.”
He also said cholera and typhoid were common disease outbreaks that followed the aftermath of flash floods.
The public health physician further warned against wading through flooded areas barefooted.
“It’s also important that you don’t stick your leg into flood water indiscriminately. In reality, you can pick a set of germs that can cause itching on your leg and some particles can enter into your leg. So, it’s both a cautionary and a health advice when there’s lightning, thundering, flooding, flash flooding.
“When there’s thunder and lightning, all your electrical appliances, whether phone, television, or computer, you may have to put them off until after the lightning,” he advised.
Also, a public health physician, Dr Rotimi Adesanya, advised individuals to check the daily weather forecast, plan their activities accordingly and avoid staying outdoors longer than necessary.
He emphasised that this practice would help people to take adequate precautions.
Adesanya said, “On such days, people should plan their itinerary by probably staying at home on such days. If you look at the Western world too, some days are declared nationally for them to stay away from work due to extreme snow and the rest. But our government doesn’t declare days like that.
“So everyone has to be proactive. Once we get the forecast, take the preventive measures and try to stay indoors.”
He further advised pregnant women and children to as much as possible, stay indoors during extreme rainfall and thunderstorms.
“Pregnant women are special people, in the sense that we are talking about two people now. They should practically stay indoors during this period if there’s a forecast of bad weather so that they don’t slip while walking in the rain,” the doctor said.
He further decried the lack of proper drainage systems in the country, stating that this contributes to flooding.
Adesanya urged individuals to avoid going out during heavy rainfall and to refrain from wading through flooded roads to prevent the risk of inadvertently slipping or falling into uncovered gutters.
He advised, “The government and citizens have a role to play on such days. People who have temporary structures, when they hear a forecast that there would be extreme or bad weather, should stay away from such places. This is because tents don’t have a solid foundation and they can be blown by wind or swept away by flood.
“Another thing that is common during this adverse weather is flooding and electrocution. People should try to stay away from touching electrical wires during this period. If they have to go inside to change over a circuit or something related to that, they have to wear protective equipment and shoes. Wearing shoes during this period would reduce the risk of being electrocuted when in contact with live wires.”
The public health physician recommended felling weak-looking trees to prevent them from falling on humans, buildings or cars during rain or windstorms.
He advised parents to be more protective of their children and ensure they stay away from electric wires and poles.
Adesanya also said children should be accompanied to school on days with forecasts of extreme weather to prevent exposure to rain and flooding.
“This is also the period that parents should ensure that their windows and doors are intact. If windows are not intact during severe wind, it can blow debris into the house, consequently causing cold-related illnesses such as flu and asthma.
“When it is very windy, close all windows and doors. If one of the windows or the door is bad, those inside could be at risk of exposure to extreme weather,” he added.
The physician called on the government to be proactive in responding to extreme weather conditions and to address infrastructure challenges to enhance public safety during such events.
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