Lightning is the discharge produced when differences between ground and atmospheric electrical charges are large enough to overcome the insulating effect of the air. Lightning can occur within cloud, cloud to cloud, and between cloud and ground. Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur as far as 10 miles away from any rainfall. Air near a lightning strike is heated to above 20,000 o C - hotter than the surface of the sun. Rapid heating and cooling of air near the lightning causes a shock wave that results in thunder.
Lightning can damage electrical installations and induce fires.
Most lightning deaths and injuries occur when people are caught outdoors. Thunderstorms can occur throughout the year but are most likely to happen in the intermonsoon periods, namely April to May and October to November. Over land, thunderstorms frequently develop in the afternoon and evening hours while over the sea, thunderstorms are more frequent at night. Check the weather forecast before leaving for extended periods outdoors. Watch for signs of approaching storms.