Lightning strikes 40

DISASTER: SAFETY WARNINGS AFTER HAMMANSKRAAL THUNDERSTORM

- Enkosi Selane

The South African Weather Service has issued heightened safety warnings after reports that 40 people were struck by lightning in Majaneng, a rural village near Hammanskraal, north of Pretoria.

The incident occurred during an intense thunderstorm event that produced nearly 2 000 lightning strikes within a 20km radius of the settlement.

According to the weather service, the lightning activity was concentrated between 12pm and 10pm on 3 January, with monitoring systems recording 1 830 strikes during this period.

The weather service added that the most dangerous hour was between 5pm and 6pm, when 713 strikes were detected, accounting for 39% of the day's total activity.

"The negative strokes were much stronger, with a maximum of -179.7kA recorded, indicating an exceptionally powerful lightning strike during the period," the weather service said.