Ground current, side flashes suspected in deaths of three lightning victims
KUALA LUMPUR: Sheltering under a tree during bad weather has been identified as a key factor in the deaths of three relatives struck by lightning in Bandar Salak Tinggi, Sepang, yesterday afternoon.
Three relatives died in Bandar Salak Tinggi, Sepang, after being struck by lightning while sheltering under a tree during a thunderstorm. Lightning expert Professor Dr Mohd Zainal Abidin Ab. Kadir of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) said that ground currents and side flashes, rather than direct strikes, were likely the primary causes of death, with ground current accounting for 40 to 50 percent of injuries.
The victims were at high risk due to their proximity to the tree and the high lightning activity in the Klang Valley region, which experiences an average of 180 to 260 thunderstorm days annually. The article advises the public to seek immediate shelter during thunderstorms and emphasizes the importance of lightning protection standards in outdoor sectors.
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