Lightning can strike twice

Islam Online (Qatar)
Date posted:Wed 14-Apr-2004
Date published:Tue 13-Apr-2004


Back to previous page
Lightning figures in Zimbabwe higher than those in the whole of the USA

By Wilson Johwa

The sight of dark cumulonimbus clouds building up over drought-prone areas of Zimbabwe is enough to raise hopes of a better cropping season. In late October when the first rains break, the long, dry months are quickly forgotten as the sparse, golden brown stubbles of grass turn a resplendent green. However, the onset of the rainy season brings with it a frightening phenomenon that claims dozens of lives until the season ends in April. Zimbabwe is one of the world’s most lightning-prone countries: the holder of a world record in lightning-related fatalities. During the rainy season, lightning strikes normally kill up to 100 people, mostly rural children. Many more people are maimed and countless livestock lost. Yet the Meteorological Services Department of Zimbabwe says it is possible that lightning deaths in the country might actually be under-reported by 20 to 30 percent and lightning injuries by more than 40 percent, as many deaths and injuries go unreported.

"The high number of lightning confirmation claims forwarded to the Department for processing by property insurance companies, confirms that damage to equipment supplying electric power and telecommunications services, as well as to business and domestic premises is quite immense,” says meteorologist Desmond Manatsa. Zimbabwe has the uncanny distinction of being one of lightning’s most favorite places. It is even cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the country where a single bolt of lightning claimed its largest number of victims. This occurred in a village near the eastern border town of Mutare in 1975 when 21 people were killed while sheltering in a hut. The majority of lightning-related fatalities and injuries in the country are usually recorded in rural rather than urban areas. This is simply because large buildings provide protection for those within due to the metal frame of the building and specially designed lightning conductors. People in buses and cars are also safe because of the metal frames around them.

more
http://www.zwnews.com/print.cfm?ArticleID=9072

:P

My mother's house has been hit twice. Nearly 20 years to the day apart.