Bogor needs lightning conductors

BOGOR: The local administration in Bogor is urged to install lightning conductors in trees in the region to prevent lightning strikes on local residents, which are a common occurrence.

Bogor has the highest number of lightning strikes in the country recording 15 strikes per square kilometer per year.

"The administration should install the ring-shaped lightning conductors on trees instead of cutting them down," said head of high voltage laboratory at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB)'s school of electrical engineering, Djoko Darmanto.

"We cannot prevent lightning but we have to channel it to the ground."

While the mountainous Bogor has 15 strikes per square kilometer each year, its surrounding area has 12 strikes per square kilometer per year.

Djoko also urged residents not to take shelter under or near tall trees during a downpour to avoid the risk of being stricken by lightning. -- JP