AT LEAST four children were hurt after being hit by fallen branches of a tree that was hit by lightning in Sitio Cagang, Barangay Dumlog, Talisay City, Cebu on Thursday noon, September 29, 2022.
The children, composed of three boys and a girl with ages ranging from three to eight, were playing under the Talisay tree when lightning struck at 12:18 p.m.
The victims sustained multiple abrasions and wounds in the head and body.
Gerard Canencia, one of the responders from the City of Talisay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CTDRRMO), said they applied first aid on the victims when they arrived at the scene, but later transferred them to the hospital to ensure that they were fine.
"Nagduwa to sila, mao to ni-kilat, na-igo ang kahoy mao to nga napiksan sila sa mga sanga," Canencia said.
(They were playing when lightning struck the tree, thus they were hit by fallen branches).
Due to the incident, the CTDRRMO reminded the parents to monitor their children and check if the area where they are playing is safe.
The disaster office also advised the children not to go out of their houses, if possible, especially if the weather is not fine or is very hot.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) Mactan issued a weather advisory on September 29 at 11:47 a.m. about the possible occurrence of scattered rainshowers, thunderstorms, lightning, flashfloods and landslides.
"Ang kilat (Lightning) is one of the hazards ng thunderstorm. Ang temperature ng kilat is taas kaayo mao nga if naigo sa kahoy pwede masunog ang kahoy ug mag-apoy (Lightning's temperature is very high, that's why a tree burns when it is hit)," said Jhomer Eclarino, weather specialist from Pagasa Mactan.
Eclarino said a person hit by lightning would not only suffer burns but may also lead to his death.
The weather bureau official advised the public to seek shelter especially when they noticed that the rain was about to occur.
It is also not advisable to take shelter in high places under an isolated tree and pole. It is also a risk to get close to the ocean or a place surrounded by water.
To avoid being caught by lightning, it is also not appropriate to use gadgets or electronics, such as cellphones and telephones, or stay near glass windows or glass doors, as well as metals, said Pagasa. (ANV, TPT)