Scientists say that Thunder is a combination of forces that meet in the air and their collisions produce other types of electrical energy, which is what we hear or see loud noises including lightning. All of these are things that injure or kill the person or animal they come into contact with.
However, it is often known that if they were bad weather experts, they would have seen it and warned people to take precautions so that the lightning does not kill or injure someone. Often there are places known to like to see these thunderstorms because of the local conditions, for example in Rwanda in the Western province in the Rutsiro and Karongi regions and in some parts of the Southern province where thunderstorms are often seen due to the local altitude.
Thunderstorms tend to occur during rainy seasons, and often strike when it is raining. The Rwandan Police and the National Meteorological Agency in Rwanda do not fail to warn Rwandans to avoid anything that could put them at risk of being struck by lightning.
During the rainy season, we often hear the National Weather Service issuing announcements informing people that heavy rains and thunderstorms are expected in certain parts of the country. The Rwandan police also use their social media to warn people what they should avoid in order to reduce the risk of being struck by lightning during the rain.
This is like telling people that whenever they see it raining, they should turn off all electrical appliances such as televisions, radios, laptops and other electrical appliances. He also cautions people to avoid storing rain under oak trees (very large trees) as they are also prone to lightning strikes. People in cars are asked to remember to close all the windows, those who ride bicycles or motorcycles in the rain are advised to get out of the way and go to shelter.
Scientists advise livestock breeders to properly protect their livestock, especially cattle, so that they are not injured because when lightning strikes a cow or other livestock, the lightning strikes the livestock easily.
Although the Rwanda Police and its partners always advise the public to avoid being struck by lightning, we still see people being struck from time to time as a result of not following the advice given to them, and those who are not afraid are seriously injured.
Nsabukunze Felicien, an employee at the National Center for Meteorology (Meteo Rwanda) in the department responsible for forecasting and implementing it says that when it rains mixed with thunder and lightning people are asked to avoid close contact with each other because when the lightning strikes in one it is easier to immediately hit the other next to them. He also warns people to avoid covering themselves with jewelry that has a metal core because it is also in danger of lightning.
Professor Bonfils Safari, a professor at the University of Rwanda in the Department of Physics, says that people should avoid approaching rivers, lakes and seas (where they live) when it is raining because these places are prone to lightning strikes. people.
Prof. Safari also warns people to avoid using anything that uses electricity if they are not sure that their buildings have “lightning protection”, asking people who have electricity in their houses to use lightning protection devices (paratonnerre).
