Mangaluru: Residents within a 2 km radius of Birumale Hill in Puttur need not fear lightning during the beginning and end of the rainy season any more. A modern lightning arrester has been installed on Birumale Hill to counter even the most severe lightning strikes. It will be inaugurated on Sept 28.Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai stated in a press release, that the installation fulfils a long-standing demand from the people of Puttur. This is an initial experimental phase, with plans to install similar arresters in four different locations within the Puttur assembly constituency, including Birumale Hill, he said.In the coastal region, lightning strikes are intense during the start and end of the rainy season, causing fatalities. Rural residents are particularly vulnerable, with incidents occurring during agricultural work, in pump sheds, and homes. These strikes also claim the lives of animals and damage electronic equipment. Last rainy season, nearly six people were victims of lightning. To protect people from such incidents, this advanced technology lightning arrester was installed, the MLA said.The arrester has been experimentally installed on Birumale Hill, covering a 2 km radius. It captures any lightning strike within this range, neutralising its energy and safely grounding it, thereby preventing danger. Within this area, electronic devices and power equipment remain unharmed by lightning. If the experimental installations in four locations prove successful, the govt plans to extend this initiative to every village as needed. Protecting lives during natural disasters is also a governmental duty, and this lightning arrester was installed to safeguard the people of the constituency, said Rai.
