Rain, a wonderful blessing of mother nature, helps plants grow, fills up the rivers, and keeps the world green and liveable. However, transforming into a powerful storm, heavy rain can bring lightning, thundershowers, and strong winds, which can cause damages to lives and properties. So, understanding how to be safe during and after heavy rains is essential. This article provides a significant to-do list, carrying some practical steps. Let's dive into exploring ways to reduce the risks during heavy rainfall.

Safety Tips during Heavy Rains and Thundershowers

Things to do while Driving

Turn on Headlights

Rain can make it hard for other drivers to see the car. Turning on headlights increases visibility, reducing the risk of accidents.

Don't Attempt to Drive across a Flooded Area

During heavy rains, many roads face water logging. The depth of water can be hard to guess. The gathered water may also hide potholes and electrical wires. Therefore, driving through flooded areas can be risky.

Read more: Ways to Purify Water during Flood, Disaster, Emergency Situations

Reduce Speed Slowly

Wet roads can make tires lose contact with the road surface, a phenomenon known as hydroplaning. To avoid this, vehicles should maintain slower speeds during heavy rain.

Choose Safe Parking Spots

While parking a vehicle, avoid places under power lines, trees, or next to utility poles. These areas can pose risks during heavy rains, like falling branches and debris.

Avoid Driving in Heavy Rain

Poor visibility during heavy rainfall makes driving risky. If possible, drivers should park the vehicle and wait until the rain has slowed down or stopped before continuing the journey.

Read more: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention

Things to do while Staying Indoor

Stay away from Windows and Doors

In the midst of a downpour and strong winds, it's important to keep a distance from windows and doors. This is because the wind can blow objects around, and windows might break if things hit them.

Ensure Windows and Doors are Securely Closed

To stop rain from getting inside, make sure all windows and doors are closed tightly. This way, the living space can remain dry and safe.

Unplug Electronic Appliances

Lightning during a rainstorm can cause power surges that might harm electronic devices. Moreover, the electrical wiring in a home can get wet during heavy rain, which can be dangerous. To avoid this, unplug gadgets and all electrical devices until the storm passes.

Read more: Post-Earthquake Cautions: Do’s & Don’ts

Have Emergency and First Aid Supplies

Be prepared for emergencies by keeping a bag with essential items like first aid supplies, flashlights, and batteries handy.

Prepare Backup Lighting

Heavy rains can cause power outages. Having backup lighting like candles, torches or charge lights can help in navigating in the dark and staying safe.

Take a Shower after Getting Home

Rainwater might not be as clean as it seems. It can carry germs. So, if you got wet in the rain, it's a good idea to take a shower with antibacterial soap to stay clean and healthy.

Wash and Dry Wet Clothes Promptly

If clothes get wet in the rain, it's essential to wash and dry them as soon as possible. Wet clothes can cause discomfort and health problems.

Read more: Earthquake Safety: Do’s and Don’ts during an Earthquake

Things to do while Staying or Going Outdoor

Wear Closed Shoes

To prevent fungal infections on feet, wear closed shoes or sandals when walking through puddles or wet areas. Fungal infections like athlete's feet thrive in damp conditions.

Avoid Standing Under Tall Trees and Electrical Poles

When outside amidst intense rainfall, it's safer to stay away from tall objects like trees and electricity poles. This reduces the risk of falling branches or electrical accidents.

Steer Clear of High-Risk Areas and Drainage Channels

Areas near homes that are prone to flooding can be dangerous during heavy rain. Avoid places like underpasses, drainage ditches, and low-lying areas where water can overflow.

Read more: Landslide Safety, Preparedness Tips: Dos and Don'ts

Seek Indoor Shelter

When heavy rains start, find a safe place inside a building. Rain can be strong, and it's best to stay dry and protected from the wind.

Safety Tips after Heavy Rains and Thundershowers

Remove Torn Electric Wires

During heavy rain, thundershowers or storms, electric wires can tear due to the strong blows of wind and fall on the road. Passersby can get electric shock, if they come in contact with the broken electric wires. If a torn electric wire falls on flood water on the road it can act like a death trap. People may die or get severely injured by electrocution if they accidentally cross that electrified water. 

In such a situation, it is highly recommended to call the responsible authority to remove the wire as soon as possible. Until the broken electric wire is removed, a danger sign should be used at that place to warn the passer-by and vehicles.

Read more: Fire Safety Tips for Parents to Keep Children Safe

Inspect for Damage

After heavy rains, it's essential to check for any damage to properties. Look for any signs of leaks, cracks, or structural issues that may have occurred during the heavy rainfall. Taking prompt action can prevent further damage.

Especially if there is a fault in the electric cable, gas, or water pipe, it should be repaired as soon as possible.

Eliminate Standing Water

After the rain has stopped, be vigilant about stagnant water in the surroundings. This water can become a breeding ground for mosquitoes. To reduce the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, empty flower pots, saucers, buckets, and clean clogged storm drains and gutters.

Read more: Cyclone Preparedness: Safety measures to follow before, during and after disaster

Use Insect Repellents

Mosquitoes are most active during the monsoon season, and their bites can transmit diseases like dengue, malaria, and chikungunya. Applying insect repellents on exposed body parts can help reduce the risk of mosquito bites.

Additionally, using coils and other anti-insect sprays frequently is advisable, not only at bedtime but also during the day and especially in the evening. Nets around beds or children can provide added protection.

Watch out for Pests

Critters like ants, cockroaches, and earwigs tend to thrive in moist environments, and they may be spotted on sidewalks and driveways after heavy rain. These pests can enter homes during flooding or heavy rains.

To prevent them from entering, seal any cracks or openings in houses using weather stripping and door sweeps. Place sticky traps near entryways, and keep food tightly sealed. It would maintain a clutter-free environment to discourage these pests from establishing themselves indoors.

Read more: School Fire Hazard Safety: Essential preventive measures to minimise risk

Focus on Cleaning the Garden

Gardeners should watch out for weeds, dead leaves, and insects in the garden after the rains. Irregular holes and thin lines are often seen on leaves and flowers due to insect attacks. These parts of the plant damaged by insects should be cut off.

Check for Wet Walls

Rain can lead to wet walls inside homes, creating a breeding ground for fungi and insects like cockroaches. Wet walls can harm health, so it's crucial to identify and address these issues promptly. Clearing wet walls or avoiding contact with them can prevent potential health risks.

Bottom Line

Rain is a natural phenomena that washes the earth surface, recharges the underground aquifers and waters plants and trees. However, heavy rains can cause damage. Though weather is uncontrollable, cautionary measures can create a defense line for protecting lives and properties. Learning how to stay safe during and after heavy rains can make people capable of minimizing the damage. Disseminating this knowledge can create awareness.

Read more: Fight the Flood: Safety measures to take before, during, after floods in Bangladesh