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Lightning strike kills mom in San Luis, Pampanga

Article (news)

Gracie Rutao

ABS-CBN News

A 39-year-old mother was struck and killed by lightning while seeking shelter under a mango tree in Barangay San Isidro, San Luis Pampanga over the weekend.The incident happened Saturday afternoon, July 13, as the woman and her child were caught in a sudden heavy downpour while on their way home.According to the police investigation led by Police Major Jimmy Malonzo, chief of San Luis Municipal Police Station, witnesses reported hearing a loud noise before the woman was struck by lightning. The woman sustained severe injuries on her left shoulder, according to the police.Her child was luckily not hit by the lightning.“Nandun lang sila sa malapit sa kanilang tirahan po ito eh Sitio Bebe San Isidro. Magkasama po &#x27;yung mag-ina eh. &#x27;Yun nga raw po, nakarinig ng malalakas na pagkulog, sumilong, nandun lamang po daw nakaupo sa ilalim ng mangga...siguro po &#x27;yung mangga po talaga. Pag may mataas na mga bagay eh &#x27;yan po &#x27;yung unang tataman talaga. Baka po’y tumagos lamang po sa kanya iyon. Sakto pong nasa ilalim sila,&quot; Malonzo said.PAGASA Chief Meteorologist Manny Esguerra Jr. said a localized thunderstorm was in the area at the time of the lightning strike. <div><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/classified-odd/2024/5/1/hong-kong-lashed-with-nearly-10-000-lightning-strikes-overnight-1537">Hong Kong lashed with nearly 10,000 lightning strikes overnight</a></div>The weather bureau reminded the public to <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none">seek shelter in enclosed buildings when caught outside during thunderstorms.Residents are also advised to avoid open fields, tall or isolated objects that can attract lightning.“Kung nasa open field, ikaw ang pinakamataas so ikaw &#x27;yung prone kung tamaan ng kidlat. Kung saan &#x27;yung mataas na bagay, &#x27;yun &#x27;yung kanyang mga nakikita. Kapag ganung overhead na &#x27;yung nga kulog, kidlat, dumapa ka na lang sa isang tuyong lugar, ngayon kung walang tuyo, at least hindi ikaw &#x27;yung pinakamataas sa lugar,&quot; Esguerra added.If  in a group of people outdoors, spread out to avoid the electric current traveling between group members in case lightning strikes.Residents are also advised to stay away from water and metal because these are excellent conductors of electricity.If caught by lightnig while in a car with a hard top, stay inside and keep the windows rolled up to minimize the risk of lightning strikes. Avoid small sheds, lean-tos, or partial shelters during thunderstorms.Pagasa also warned against using landlines during thunderstorms, as lightning can flow through telephone lines. It is better to opt for cell phones or cordless phones that are not connected to the building’s wiring, the bureau said.  Lastly, Pagasa reminded the public not to  shower or bathe during a thunder or lightning storm, as water conducts electricity and increases the risk of being struck.

A 39-year-old mother was struck and killed by lightning while seeking shelter under a mango tree in Barangay San Isidro, San Luis Pampanga over the weekend.

A 39-year-old mother was struck and killed by lightning while seeking shelter under a mango tree in Barangay San Isidro, San Luis Pampanga over the weekend.