Bogor needs lightning conductors

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