The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) is warning the public to prepare for increased heavy rainfall and severe lightning storms in the upcoming months.
Instances of thunderstorms were observed on Thursday and over the weekend in various parts of the capital city, Accra, causing concern and anxiety among some Ghanaians.
“Yeah, there are more thunderstorm rains to come, we have not reached June yet. When we checked the lightning data, June is the peak of lightning. When we get to July or August we will not be getting lightning. Along the coast, and the middle belt, yes, we will still be getting lots of lightning and thundering activities. It’s not yet over at all,” the Director of Forecasting for GMA, Joseph Portuphy, told host of Citi Breakfast Show, Bernard Avle.
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During an appearance on the Citi Breakfast Show, Joseph Portuphy provided precautionary measures to the public.
“It’s not advisable to stay under tall trees or trees when it’s raining because when thunder strikes, it passes through the trees and when you are under the trees wearing slippers, the charged particles will pass through and kill you instantly. It is also dangerous to walk under trees during rains”.
He advised against standing close to or under trees or tall buildings during rainy periods, as there is a risk of being struck by lightning due to the presence of charged particles.
He added, “The building code requires that when putting up tall buildings, you need to install charge arresters to prevent lightning from striking through the buildings. When walking, and it’s threatening to rain, and there’s lightning and thunder, we should avoid tall buildings and tall trees. Avoid anything that can expose you, you shouldn’t be carrying metals when it’s raining. Because the metal is a very good conductor of those charged particles. When the thunder strikes, and it falls on it, it can kill you, we should avoid all those things, and we will be fine”.
Mr. Portuphy further recommended that property developers install lightning arresters to prevent property damage when thunder and lightning occur.
