Fulminology to Human Safety: A Case of N8 Road South Africa

Bernard Moeketsi Hlalele^1,2*

¹Mathematics and Science Educator at Moroka High School, Thaba-Nchu, South Africa

²Department of Mathematics and Science & Ph.D-student at University of the Free State, South Africa

*Corresponding Author:

Bernard Moeketsi Hlalele
E-mail: hlalele.moeketsi@gmail.com

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Abstract

All thunderstorms are detrimental and can be associated with a number of hazards. Heavy rains resulting from these storms lead to flash flooding that causes a number of fatalities in our communities and lightning is another by-product of thunderstorm that is produced from every thunderstorm and causes at least 80 fatalities and 300 injuries per year (NOAA, 2015). This study used conceptual research design in pursuit of understanding the root causes of thunderstorm and lighting and their mitigation measures for public safety more especially those who work in the open places. A specific reference was made to N8 road in South Africa where six fatalities were reported in March 2015. The study used extensive literature review (secondary data) for data collection in order to conceptualise thunderstorms and lightning and their subsequent consequences. The study ended with reduction measures to be taken by the public during thunderstorms to ensure safety. Authorities are also urged to educate the public about the risks of thunderstorms taking into cognisance the myths borne by the same public about lightning.

Keywords

Fulminology, Thunderstorms, Lightning, Disaster, Hazard

Introduction and Theoritical Background

Scientists are confident that global temperatures are yet to increase in the next decades to come mainly because of greenhouse gases produced by human activities (Jenkins, Jackson & Shaftel, 2015). Several scientists in the world agree that the cause of the current global warming is as a result of the atmosphere trapping heat radiation towards the earth’s space. Global warming causes climate patterns to change in which case the later has a direct link with lightning (United States Environmental Agency, 2014). Similarly, Price, (2008:1) asserts that lightning distribution around the globe is directly linked with the earth’s climate driven by solar insolation. According to Torlach, (1999) lightning is a phenomenon that cannot be prevented only effects can be safeguarded against through employment of protective systems and exercising due diligence as well long-standing established precautions. Many people are killed or injured each and every year by severe thunderstorms despite the present technologies for early warning systems (American Red Cross, 2015). Therefore given the present rapid climate change conditions, more deaths are yet to be recorded. Six construction workers were declared dead and five injured from a lightning bolt that occurred approximately 20 kilometres from Botshabelotowards Bloemfontein in March 2015 (Free State theweekly, 2015). These workers are said to have sought shelter from a wooden structure near a spot locally called “Eseng” meaning an “S” during a thunderstorm. The Free State Weekly, (2015) states that factors that possibly lead to this incidence are telephone lines and electrical cables and metal objects such as fences and windmills. Owing to the above background, the current conceptual study therefore seeks to assess the vulnerability of Botshebelo Township (adjacent to N8 highway road) to thunderstorms and lightning and how it progresses to a disaster in order for both the government and public to take necessary precautionary measures against adverse impacts lightning hazards.

Definition of Key-Concepts

Fulminology is the study or science of lightning (Fakhruddin, 2010). Thunderstorm is said to be a rain shower during which a thunder is heard. This sound comes from lightning, therefore all thunderstorms have lightning (The National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL), 2015). These are said to be severe when they consist of one or more of the following; one inch or greater of hail, winds gusting in excess of 50 knots or a tornado. According to World Meteorological Organisation, (2015) thunderstorms are a major trigger for many other hazards such as wildfires started by lightning, tornados and flash floods. We therefore in this study regard lightning as a hazard though this phenomenon is said to be localised in nature.

Lightning is defined as a discharge of electricity between clouds and the earth seen as bright flash followed by sound of thunder heard after a short while (Dictionary of Engineering, 2004). Similarly, Finnish Meteorological Institute, (2015) define lightning as an electrical discharge that is caused by thundercloud. This can occur within clouds referred to as intra-cloud lightning, between clouds called inter-cloud lightning, and between clouds and the earth known as cloud-to-ground lightning.

Hazard is referred to as a potential occurrence of a natural or human-induced physical event which may cause loss of life, injury, or other health impacts, as well as damage and loss to property, infrastructure, livelihoods, service provision, and environmental resources (IPCC, 2012).Though lightning on its own can hardly be considered as a hazard due to its localised nature, this is a direct byproduct of thunderstorms which is an indirect trigger of hazards such as wildfires, in this study therefore lightning is considered as a hazard.

The disaster risk equation= Hazard x Vulnerability Equation-1

Vulnerability refers to diminished capacity of group, system, or individual to cope with, resist and recover from impacts of natural or man-made hazards (IFRC, 2012).

Disaster is defined as a calamitous, sudden event that disrupts the proper functioning of a community or society and causes human, material, economic and environmental loses that exceed the community’s ability to cope using its own resources (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2013).

Causes of Lightning

It all starts with thunderstorm which is created by strong rising air currents called updrafts forming cumulonimbus clouds. The warm updrafts and the cool downdrafts create turbulence resulting in tiny water particles and microscopic ice crystals (Harfield LTD, 2015). A continuous collision of these particles create an electric charge in the thunderclouds until the whole cloud is filled with charges where the lighter positive charge form at the top of the cloud and heavier negatively charged particles sink to the bottom of the cloud (Planet Science, 2015). As these negative charges are at the bottom, they force negative charges from the ground away leaving it positively charged as shown in the Figure 1 (Wagon, 1999). As the cloud moves, the positive charges will follow the cloud wherever it goes, the largest build-up of these positive charges will be in any protruding objects such as house, trees, poles and as an electrical potential builds up lightning occurs (Smith, 2010).

Figure 1: Bottom negatively charged cloud and positively charged ground and showing different types of lightning Source: http://ffden2.phys.uaf.edu/211_fall2010.web.dir/Levi_Cowan/lightning.html

Lightning Cases around the World

Lightning fatalities rates in selected countries and Cases of lightning death in South Africa from 2009 to 2010 are given in Tables 1 and 2.

Table 1. Lightning fatalities rates in selected countries

Table 2. Cases of lightning death in South Africa from 2009 to 2010

Consequences of Lightning

According to the National Institute of Health, (2001) the direct effects of lightning are extremely low compared to its subsequent long term impacts. These include but not limited to; muscular and sensory disturbances, keraunographic skin markings, and audiovisual dysfunction and as well as amnesia. Similarly a study conducted in 2012 in Switzerland revealed 6 out of 9 patients struck by lightning had nervous system injuries, followed by 5 out of 9 who had cardiovascular system injuries. The third group of these patients had injuries in their skin (3 out of 9) (Carmen et al., 2012). The Table 3 below summaries some of the negative effects of lightning on humans.

Table 3. Lightning effects on humans

Conceptual Framework Used (Figure 2)

Figure 2: PAR Model for Progression of vulnerability Source: Wisner et al. 2003

Root Causes of Vulnerability to Thunderstorm and Lightning in South Africa

Singh, (2014) root causes are the most distant processes that are embedded in economic, social, demographic and political scenarios and portray distribution of power in an area. Botshabelo and its vicinity are inhabited by black people who have been marginalised by the apartheid governance in terms of development activities, therefore given the vast climate variability today, this condition propagates to unsafe conditions driven by dynamic pressures processes.

Dynamic pressures

These work on underlying root causes to create unsafe conditions (Singh, 2014). In this study lack of training of workers that work in the open places such as agriculture and construction workers are possibilities since the six workers who were struck by lightning on N8 ran to a small wooden structure for shelter. South Africa being a developing country where more constructions (rapid urbanisation) are taking place exposes construction workers to risks of being struck by lightning.

Unsafe Conditions

Though rapid urbanisation may be viewed by many authors as a dynamic pressure process, this can also be regarded as an appropriate indicator of unsafe condition (Birkmann, 2006). Botshabelo and other regions in the outskirts of the Free State Capital Bloemfontein are yet to undergo infrastructural development in which more workers are to be exposed to risks of lightning due rapid changing climate that induces thunderstorms.

Vulnerabilities to Lightning

Developing countries have got a long list of problems ranging from, poverty, illiteracy, diseases and hunger. There is one more problem that has gotten less attention, until recently: lightning strikes, which cause a disproportionately high number of deaths in developing countries (Quinn, 2013).Countries that have a high death toll due to lightning such as South Africa, India and Nepal all have hot, humidclimate and agriculture-based economy in common in which case the latter exposes people to lightning risks (Tsong, 2014). Moreover, lack of public awareness seems to be the most substantial problem in the developing countries that increases vulnerability to lightning strikes. In South Africa the highest lightning ground flash densities are in the interior parts of the country of which Free State province is. Given the high unemployment rate most community members are compelled to do security guards jobs, agriculture and construction which are in the open giving a high exposure to lightning risks (Gill, 2008).

Methods and Materials

This study followed a conceptual study research design which gathered its data from literature on the meaning of these two concepts, their consequences and mitigation measures. A PAR model for vulnerability was used guided by the reviewed literature in order to understand why South Africa could be of the countries prone to thunderstorms and lightning thereby possibly causing disasters.

Lightning Mitigation/Safety Measures (Table 4)

Table 4. Lightning safety measures

Myths and Facts about Lightning (Table 5)

Table 5. Myths and facts about lightning

Results and Discussion

The study revealed lightning does not only cause fatalities but also long term bio-physical impairment to people which retard their productivity. Lack of skills also plays a contributing factor in the myths borne by communities which turn to be agent to vulnerability to lightning hazards. A comprehensive list of measures to be taken in case one is caught in thunderstorms is presented especially people working in the open places such as construction and others. An in-depth knowledge about the evolution of lightning has been deliberated by this study for public safety.

Conclusion

Given the current high climate change variability, thunderstorms and lightning are more frequent and intense leaving property and human lives damaged and lost respectively. It is encouraged that awareness on the dangers of lightning is raised for communities’ resilience against lightning impacts. The government on the other hand has to see to it that skills development programmes are intensified to reduce high number of people employed in the open-place industries such as agriculture and construction.

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