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A Pakistani man was struck by lightning while at King Fahd Park in Najran yesterday and taken to hospital for treatment. Photo for illustrative purposes only. Image Credit: Pixabay

Abu Dhabi: A Pakistani man was struck by lightning on Tuesday evening at King Fahd Park in Najran, southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen, Saudi media reported.

Najran civil defense teams rushed to the scene and provided first aid to the man who was transported to hospital to receive medical care, according to the media spokesman for the directorate of civil defense in Najran, Major Abdul Khaliq bin Ali Al Qahtani.

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The civil defense teams temporarily cordoned off the site to ensure there are no more incidents there.

When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors

The safest place to be in a thunderstorm is indoors. Stay inside until 30 minutes passes after the last roar of thunder.

If you’re going to be outside, pay attention to the forecast and track the weather via smartphone apps, weather reports on the radio or other devices. Have a plan for what to do and where you’ll go if lightning starts to strike.

What’s safe and what’s not

Closed-door vehicles, like cars, are safe in lightning. It’s not the rubber tyres but the metal roof and sides that protect you. So if lightning strikes your vehicle, avoid touching the frame or doors. Motorcycles, bicycles and cars with fiberglass shells offer no protection from lightning.

Open-ended picnic shelters, tents and dugouts are not safe places in storms. If you are stuck outside, avoid open fields such as tops of hills. Stay away from isolated trees or towers. Stay away from water.

Indoors

Stay away from corded phones. Cellular phones are safe. Don’t touch electrical equipment such as computers, TVs or cords. Remote controls are safe.

Avoid plumbing. Do not wash your hands, shower or hand-wash dishes.